Retired Head Teacher of St Joseph High School, Sir Nathram Raghubansi is a ‘Special Person’

Nov 13, 2022 News, Special Person

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A sterling example of serving the teaching profession with excellence…

 By Rehanna Ramsay

Kaieteur News – It is no secret that the retired Headteacher of St Joseph High School, Sir Nathram Raghubansi is cherished by his past students and colleagues.

His recent retirement ceremony is just a glimpse of how much he is appreciated by those whom he has worked with, and instructed along their academic journey over the period of thirty years.

Many of his students, who have gone on to fare well in their respective career paths have sent Sir Raghubansi, their very best wishes as he rides off in the proverbial sunset to a well-deserved retirement.  Over his more than three decades of teaching, Sir Raghubansi has without a doubt impacted the lives of many Guyanese students.

The Teacher who was born and raised on Essequibo Coast revealed however that he initially had his sight set on a career in finance but it was somehow life that rerouted him to the path of teaching. Reflecting on the time and effort is put into his profession, Sir Raghubansi can say without fear of contradiction that he has not regretted it.

The gifted mathematics Teacher has served in many capacities at St Joseph High School- one of the nation’s top-ranking secondary schools.

While he started out as an acting Teacher at the Abram Zuil Secondary School in Essequibo, this week’s ‘Special Person’ dedicated efforts have allowed him to hold positions as Assistant Master, Senior Assistant Master, Graduate Senior Assistant Master, and Graduate Head of Department for Mathematics, Deputy Headmaster and Head Master.

As per his own academic qualification, he is a trained Teacher and a product of the Cyril Potter College of Education and University of Guyana Graduate and also completed training with the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

FARM LIFE

While he spent a significant portion of his life immersed in academia, Raghubansi revealed that he hails from a farming community on the Essequibo Coast.

The Teacher recalled vividly that his childhood was punctuated by daily religious practices and working the farms.  He is the last of thirteen siblings; six girls and seven boys born to Mr. Janna Raghubansi and Mrs. Parbattie Raghubansi (now deceased). The Teacher said his parents were rice farmers who were solely dependent on the cash from the harvest for survival. “Out of crop season,” he said, “the family depended on the kitchen garden, little poultry farming, and other cash crops for daily living.”

To make ends meet, the Teacher said his dad also did some carpentry work. He said that life was really rough but the family survived with the little that was provided for us through god’s inspiration.

“I grew up in a typical Hindu home where I had to be up before the sun raised and helped with chores around the house and in the yard. Also, I had to take care of a few cattle in the back dam.  All these activities had to be finished before I get to school,” he recalled of his initial years.

He said that in addition, religious teaching, and education were instilled by his parents and through the pandits and gurus (Teachers) while attending the temples and religious functions.

“I had to be part of what we call ‘night school” to learn Hindi, religious philosophy, and singing Bhajans [hymns]. Dedication, care, honesty, trustworthiness, sharing, love, and contentment were the mantra of the day by our parents. We had to live up to it,” he added.

Outside of this, the young Raghubansi enjoyed the moonlight walking, listening to the ‘Nancy Stories,’ taking part in athletics, and playing outdoor games with the neighborhood children, whenever he had free time.

SHOW OF HONESTY

After completing his formal education at the Anna Regina Secondary School, Raghubansi started working at the Queenstown Post Office in Essequibo.

After a short stint, he was transferred to Agricola Post Office on the East Bank of Demerara, as part of the training.

Not long after, he was moved to the Mails Branch at General Post Office to acquire additional training in Georgetown. At that Post office, he gained recognition for a ‘show of honesty’ on the job.

This happened after he found a sum of money (US $) and handed it over to his Supervisor who subsequently gave it to the person who misplaced it.   A few months later the Personnel Officer at the Post office moved Raghubansi to the Accounts Department because there was a need for a clerk.

He was suitably qualified and within a few months, an offer was opened for me in the Accounts Department, he was promoted to the post of senior clerk.  Upon completing four years at the Post Office, Raghubansi left to become a Supervisor in the Accounts Department of Guyana Shipping Corporation.

 TWIST OF FATE

However, two years later, the Raghubansi family suffered a disheartening blow when his dearest mom who loved him immensely became seriously ill.

His father needed some help in taking care of her. Having the bounding duty to look after his parents, Raghubansi quit his job and returned home to Essequibo.

Needing to provide financial support to the home and at the same time, really wanting a job he accepted an offer from then Headmaster of Abram Zuil Secondary School, Mr. Maydha Persaud to join the staff as an Acting Teacher.

Throughout the day, the then-young Teacher said he felt awkward in this new role because teaching was not his desire.

As a result, he said “I was very nervous and I felt I was not so good at public speaking. During the afternoon, I visited the Headmaster to inform him that I am no longer interested in the job…”

He continued, “My Headmaster looked at me with dismay and then proceeded to give some sound advice and encouragement. I was totally moved and felt confident in myself.”

As a consequence of the pep talk, Sir Raghubansi returned to school, the next day energized and ready to work. He soon won the hearts of the students and my colleagues. Resultantly, he developed an endearing passion for teaching. “I was convinced that teaching is my true calling and there is no turning back.”

GIFTED TEACHER

The gifted Math Teacher shared that in the area of teaching, he used strategies and methods to really arouse the students’ interest where they are motivated.

He explained that “Their perception of mathematics being difficult/hard is no longer in the forefront of their mind but rather easy to comprehend. The students no longer wanted to miss class but waited with bated breath for classes to start.”

Sir Raghubansi really enjoyed helping students to unravel their mathematical potential and skills so that they removed the barrier they had for the subject and hence performed excellently at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC).

He emphasized, “My ultimate goal was to change the perception in the minds of students that mathematics is difficult to pass and to remove such barriers so they gain confidence in themselves.”

“ I was able to achieve my goal. The students who felt mathematics was difficult to comprehend were confident in them and passed the subject with excellent grades.”

He noted too that teaching is not just going to a class and giving notes or illustrating with examples how to solve a mathematical problem or having a discussion on a related area of a specific subject.

In many regards, he said that as a Teacher, he had to be willing to be a Father Figure, a Counselor, a Mentor, a Confidante, etc.  “This is what makes teaching so unique when compared with other professions. I have performed all those other duties as a Teacher of mathematics and as The Principal of St. Joseph High,” Raghubansi said.

ST JOSEPH’S HIGH SCHOOL

After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Guyana, Mr. Raghubansi was seconded to St Joseph High School where I spent 22 years as a Teacher.  He credited Ms. Ingrid Fung, one of my former Headmistresses, for helping him secure a permanent transfer to St Joseph High School.

 

Raghubansi said, “I became a permanent member of staff. As a result, I was able to devote extensive time to helping the students to improve their knowledge and performances in Mathematics and Additional Mathematics where I worked beyond the normal call of duties.” Over the years, he said the results kept improving.

Sir Raghubansi also gave some of his time and support to the school athletics competition.

He said, “I was placed in and involved in all co-curricular activities. My skills and support really helped my house ‘Wenishema’ to be in the top three positions over the years.”

Due to his commitment, Sir Raghubansi was able to move up the ranks at St Joseph’s High School, he went from Graduate to Senior Assistant Master –Graduate Deputy Headmaster and then Headmaster after the retirement his predecessor, Ms. Gail Primo.

He revealed that his mastery of teaching the subject and his dedication contributed significantly for me to gaining recognition and an award for ‘Outstanding Performances as a Teacher’ from Guyana Teachers Union.

His other major accolades include having an award for the most improved Senior Secondary School, being the best student in Curriculum Development, and being the best student who exemplifies the highest degree of willingness and cooperation while at CPCE.

His professional journey was nevertheless, not without its challenges.

He said this came before me on a daily basis, especially during the pandemic.

“Every day was a new issue and as such the solution to the problem had to be pointed out or high – lighted.  We had to deal with cyber bulling amongst students, to deal with the delay in maintenance work,” he added.

PROUD FAMILY MAN

Besides his professional feats, Sir Raghubansi is the proud husband of Tulsidai Raghubansi and a doting father of two sons and a daughter.

He revealed, “My wife is the Headmistress of Westminster Secondary School.  We met while we were at College. My eldest son is an Economist while the second son is a third-year Medical Student at the University of Guyana and my daughter is a second-year student reading for an Associate Degree in Biology. I also have a nephew who lived with us and he is a grade 11 student at Diamond Secondary School.”

The family resides happily in Golden Grove on East Bank Demerara.

Sir Raghubansi also believes in service and development in the community. As such, he does lots of voluntary classes in Mathematics and Additional Mathematics as a way of giving back to students.

Also as a part of the Hindu Religious body in his community, he contributes towards all its religious activities and all its fundraisers. Raghubansi has served on the executive body as President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee Member over the years.

He said that life can offer challenges when it comes to balancing his responsibilities. On those days, the Teacher shares take nature walks in his little garden where he enjoys the sweet scent of the roses/flowers and finds pleasure in harvesting fresh produce.

As for his goal in retirement, he shared that his aim is to prioritize wellness and discover new interests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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