Maydha Persaud was among the most recent national award recipients, receiving the Medal of Service (MS) for dedicated service in the field of education. Guyanese, both overseas and locally, upon hearing the name “Sir Maydha Persaud” would know him as an educator who embodies simplicity and has a craving for education for everyone, including himself.
Throughout the Essequibo Coast, any past or present student from time to time would pleasantly reflect on a teacher who has left a hallmark in the teaching profession. To date, it has been more than three decades since ‘Sir Maydha’ began educating students in the region as both a headmaster and teaching CSEC subjects.
Maydah Persaud
Sir Maydha, as he is popularly known, is a very simple individual who expresses life with true simplicity. A conversation with him quickly puts you at ease, despite his advanced intellect.
Early years
The 62-year-old began by reflecting on his formative years growing up in a ‘logie’ in the agricultural village of Golden Fleece estate. He describes his life as confronting poverty for almost ten years before entering the teaching profession, a career path that shaped him into the teacher, husband and friend of today.
Born to indentured labourers Sonny Seer and Mohanie Seer, he was the second child of four children. The family, which is very religious, was also close-knit, Maydha said.
Despite being poor, poverty was never a barrier when it came to their education.
At just 15, he declared that he knew what career path he wanted, “My desire is to educate people; I believe education is the most important ingredient in one’s life; he who opens the school door closes the prison gate,” he declared.
Sir Maydha said he joined the teaching profession in 1970 as an acting teacher then moved to a Grade 2 Class 2, Grade 1, Class 1 senior master, deputy headmaster and headmaster of the Abram Zuil Secondary School. He said he was the principal of the Abram Zuil Secondary School for fourteen years, and retired as head in 2006.
During his astute stewardship as principal at the secondary school, he managed to put the school back on track and it was rated by two former ministers, Dr Dale Bisnauth and Mr Henry Jeffery, as the best managed school in the country.
Commenting on his teaching profession, he said that as headmaster he successfully taught Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics, English A and English B at CSEC and GCE. One of his strategies to achieve excellent results was compulsory English B in all classes he said. He said the introduction of the subject encouraged students to read, and thus improved their language.
“English B helps a student to think fast… and brings about a disciplined learning environment,” he noted.
He said he was determined to tackle a culture in which East Indians, especially males, were not allowed to attend school for academic improvement, but rather stayed in the backdams and cultivated their wealth, which was customary.
Wanting to break the trend, and visualizing an education for males, Maydha said this would have brought a change in the life of the individual and their families as a whole.
Maydha said too that he started out teaching at the young age of 15 in those ‘primitive’ days, and had his share of confronting many difficulties, listing finances as one.
Accolades received
In 1972 he was awarded as the only teacher who passed the Third Class Examination in Guyana. In college, he said, he was also awarded best Mathematics student. In 2002 this humble but dedicated teacher was awarded the best teacher of the year award, and was rewarded Gy$1M from the Laparkan Group of Companies.
After retirement, Persaud gained employment as a commissioner at the Teaching Service Commission. Teachers in Region Two are in high praise for the assistance he has given to them.
He still tutors students for CSEC, but is now focusing on English A and Mathematics. He is also a master trainer for the Education Management Certificate Course conducted by school administrators.
In 2004 he did a course on Curriculum and Resource Development Materials at Chennai in India.
In 2005 he was awarded by the Indian Commemoration Trust as an outstanding Indian Brother to the Hindu Society, and regionally he was awarded for his contributions to the education system.
Deep sense of appreciation at becoming one of the 2011 national award recipients
He expressed his deep sense of appreciation and pride after being awarded, “My personal motto is I am still learning,” Persaud declared, thanking God for his prestigious award, and said his wife and children also gave him the inspiration and drive to help others succeed. He attributed his success as an educator to his love for the job, punctuality and sharing his vision with stakeholders; human relationships and networking with communities.
Persaud said he could not complete this interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine without lauding the effort of Ramnarine Singh, a man whom he said was responsible for his many successes. The proud father of two said Singh has helped mould him into a successful teacher.
“Every person should have a vision and work towards it; with this I am advising them to read more rather than spending time on the computer chatting,” he advised. He also said that poverty must not be a barrier to anyone’s dream, and noted that once one has that willpower one can achieve anything.
He ended with a quote from William Shakespeare, his favourite writer: “a little bit of fragrance always remains on the hands that give you the rose, and do good today and let your tomorrow be proud of its yesterday.” (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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