?Robert d?Unienville was more than my teacher. He was my rector, my Maths teacher, my mentor, my colleague and my friend. I never felt the difference in age. He would seek deep into each one of us the stimulus that would trigger comprehension and would wait undisturbed and with immense patience during the whole process and was always ready to start again.

It was at Royal College Curepipe in the 70s. I met the rector for the first time when I was in Form III. In the heat of the action during lunch time, we had kicked a ball and broken a window pane of Curepipe Court Room beside the college gym. A policeman confiscated the ball and said the magistrate would jail us. Exceptionally, we were the first in class with the bell and more than ever ready to study whatever was on the time table. But I had also signed for the ball and the attendant brought a note that I should report to the rector immediately. I was sure I would be jailed when I reached his office. May be fear was right there on my face but I think he also read through me. He was very understanding but said I would need to meet the magistrate. I pleaded to be accompanied by other classmates who were also involved. He smiled and explained that the magistrate wanted to talk to one boy only and he thought I could do it. Beside the story, that day I felt he trusted me and I was ready for the best and the worst in life.

Robert taught me Maths, bridge, western classical music and golf. He would personally supervise the organization of our yearly camping expedition at Anse-la-Raie. He would attend and stay at night. He would never have direct answers to all our questions. He got me to think on a wide range of topics: from sciences, through literature into our fantasies.

Robert agreed that I took up responsibilities within the student population. We organized concerts, edited college magazines, participated in college events and represented the college in many inter-college events including the then Lonrho Award. I remember we lost the Award and were furious against the jury. He would always listen to us and get us over failures with more personal will to move forward.

I remember the only time I felt he was unhappy. He had some hassle with the minister of Education. He would not talk to us about it but I believe with other rectors, he decided to organize some type of a strike. I remember we said we would go on strike too and he replied in a very formal manner that he was old enough to solve his own problems.

I remember the day we met in the corridor of the college. I had already left and was looking for a Leaving Certificate to apply for a job. He said he believed I would be a good teacher and here I am today with about thirty years in the education world and enjoying it. When he retired from government, we worked as colleagues at College du Saint Esprit. I always had the feeling he was proud of what I was doing. I remember that in one of our heated arguments among colleagues, he actually joined in to say that he believed the crowd had not listened or had not understood what I said because my position was the one most plausible given the circumstances. There was a silence and approval.

There are many more educators I had the chance to meet in my career. Most of them have contributed immensely in forging the person I am today. I am grateful to each one of them individually. I do from time to time cross one or the other on the roads. I am amazed each time that they remember my name and other anecdotes of the good old times. I do not have the guts to tell them all viva voce but I am still now frightened at the idea of disappointing any one of them. Thank you sirs!?