?I began my education at the government primary school in Souillac in the 40s. The good thing was that at that time, there were only around 20 students in a class. So somehow, the contact between the teacher and the student was nearly on an individual basis. Moreover, when I remember that time, I cannot forget that, in those days, education was more concerned with issues of day-to day life rather than being a bookish education. As an example, there used to be a farm at our school and we were taught a lot about things such as chicks. Although, it did not have much to do with the curriculum, this kind of education remained very practical and useful in daily life.

I would prefer not to say who my ?best teacher? was as they were all the ?best? and, in addition to this, they all had a great positive impact on my career in one way or another. I cannot say I had a bad teacher. I never hated any of my teachers. Obviously, some were severe but, with hindsight, I realize that they were like that because they wanted to stimulate us to reach our full potential. . In fact, there was one whom I did not like much simply because he made us learn by heart and I never liked this type of rote learning. This is the reason why I am fond of mathematics. Nevertheless I did not dislike that teacher I just spoke about.

If I was to pay a tribute to some people, I would like to do so to the likes of Mr. Bazire, a teacher in my primary school at Souillac. He showed great care and love for all the students of the school. Despite the fact that we were only 10 or 11 year-old kids, we could sense the love he wanted to give us. He would speak regularly about issues of real life. In a way, as there was neither television nor radio at that time, he was opening a window on the outer world.

When I was doing my second year of junior scholarship (La petite bourse), I came across one teacher by the name of Daisy Quénette. She was remarkably gifted with a towering personality. She would treat us as if we were her kids. She was full of confidence in whatever she did. Singing was one of the things Daisy Quénette was very good at as she had a lovely voice. I now recognize that she was a real professional.

But if there is one person to whom I would like to give a special mention, it is Annie Latapie who was my English literature teacher at Loreto convent Curepipe. She was exceptional and there was no one who could be better than her in her field. Annie Latapie was a great woman with an attractive personality. She had a lot of conviction and passion in her quest to share her knowledge and she would collect our opinions and ideas. she was an adult treating us like adults.

There was a great interaction and communication in the class when Annie Latapie was teaching. For me, it was like a discovery. It was as if I was getting to know a new type of education. Incredibly enough, she knew all the texts on the tips of her fingers. She was a believer, and as she talked, you could witness that she was in constant progress spiritually. This progress was very communicative. I was really influenced by the way she was. In contrast to many people, she was not a person who would preach at us. Indeed, she would simply incarnate and represent the change she would like to see in us.

I met her again when she became my daughter?s teacher later. Coincidently, she joined teaching when I was doing my HSC, and she retired from Loreto Convent Curepipe when my daughter finished her HSC. It?s strange, but what I can say is that both my daughter and I were very lucky in having her. As far as I know, she was the best teacher my daughter had as well. That was because, despite her age and so on, she had managed to keep her enthusiasm and her capacity to impress those who would get to know her.?