I am proud that Josh was my teacher

Feb 23, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,

I first met Josh Ramsammy in September of 1961 when my father took me to be enrolled at the Tagore High School. He met my father and me at the entrance of the school and, after he had greeted us, he asked why he was there. My father replied that he was there to get me in High School.

He looked at me and smiled, then said: “Did you bring his nursing bottle?”, remarks based on my diminutive size. My father quickly replied: “This is a powerhouse, believe me”. These words still ring in my ears as I set down to pen these few words. I remember him distinctly – he was tall with long hair, and wore a beard which was unusual those days. His shoes were well worn but carefully polished, and he wore pants made from serge material.

Joshua Ruben Ramsammy became Principal of the Tagore Memorial High School in Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana, in September 1961. He had come at the request of the community who wanted quality education for its growing youth population. Josh brought with him a cadre of teachers who made indelible prints in the school’s history. Messrs. Gobin, Payne, Bernari, Aga Khan, and Narain came with Josh from Queen’s College, where he was their teacher. They were bright, enthusiastic and qualified men who had a lot to give. And they did!

I was placed in Form 1, and Josh became my Science teacher. I distinctly remember being walked to the edge of the cricket field to observe the aquatic plants in the streams. He taught me leaf-printing, stick-printing and the relationship of plants to life. In the classroom he told us stories of how he lived in England and the many monuments he saw. As a colonialist (1961), these were living images of what I read in the text books. Josh (Sir) brought life to Science. One student asked him if he got wet when it snowed!!

Josh initiated major renovations at the school. In the summer of 1962, the building was extended and a small science established. Tagore was transformed into a leading educational institution. But sadly he left the same year. As part of the farewell ceremony I was selected to hand over a small gift to him, and I still remember the words I had to memorise: “Sir, on behalf of the teachers and students of this school, I make a presentation of this gift to you”.

Some 10 years later, I met Josh again when I was in my third year at the University of Guyana. I was doing the BIO 202-Social Biology course and he was the teacher. As I sat in the Small Lecture Theatre (SLT) among the 50 or so students, I wondered if he remembered me! At the end of the class, he used the famous JRR forefinger and beckoned me to come, saying: “Young Madho, you have come a far way”. Josh was then in the MAO (Movement Against Oppression) along with Omawale, Fraser, Thomas and Roopnaraine. I was a student of Bill Carr and a member of the UG/PYO group, and we would often meet, but I never forgot my respect. During the frequent drinking bouts, I would refrain from drinking in front of him though I shared in the conversation.

Once, when I was introduced by Bill Carr to Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Dr. Ramsammy was quick to remark: “He was my student from the Corentyne”. Boy, was I proud, as Cheddi Jagan hailed from Port Mourant in the Corentyne as well, and a short discussion ensued about my whereabouts. When the attempted assassination on Josh’s life took place I cried, as I felt my HERO was being sacrificed.

During my days at Albion Estate, I came into contact with Josh’s brother, Dr. Herman Ramsammy, and Josh’s mother, who was a pensioner at the estate. I quickly sought her out and invited her to my office. I told her I was a student of Josh and of the many things in life he had taught me.

She told me Josh came from a family of 13 children and from abject poverty. He worked his way out of estate life and poverty and became a great educator and influenced many of us. He rose from the masses of the poor and grew great. I felt proud that I knew him, and will always remember that JOSH RAMSAMMY WAS MY TEACHER.

Vevek Madho, Ph.D.

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