The journey of retired teachers full of challenges and triumphs in education
THREE retired teachers believe it was their calling to join the profession and they went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the betterment of children’s lives.
The POST spoke to some of the members of the Fellowship of Retired Teachers (FORT), who toured the 1860 Heritage Centre last week.
Denise Ramasamy, 73, of La Lucia, said while her journey into the public education sector did not stem from a passion but as an only career option, her love for teaching - especially of young children - grew over the years.
After completing matric in 1969, at the then-Indian Girls’ High School, she went on to complete a three-year diploma in teaching at the Springfield College of Education in 1972.
"We did not have many options to study back then. I also was not keen to get into the medical or law fields. However, once I started studying I was quite happy with my decision. I specialised in junior primary education."
Ramasamy said her first appointment as a teacher was at Puntan’s Hill Primary School in 1973.
"I taught the grade one to three classes for seven years. In 1979, I received my first promotion to head of department at Clayton Primary School and took up the position the following year. After three years, I moved to another school. However, I was seconded to the Springfield College of Education to lecture students specialising in junior primary in 1984.
"In 1985, I returned to teaching at a school in Phoenix. While there, I was again seconded to the planning division of the Department of Education to evaluate a pilot project where I had to visit 20 selected schools in the province. I had to assess the progress of the project.“
Ramasamy, who also holds a Master’s degree in education, said she thereafter had the opportunity to serve as a deputy principal and acting principal.
She said in 1997, she was appointed principal at Effingham Heights Primary School and served for 18 years before retiring in 2015.
"My service to the education department spanned 43 years."
Ramasamy said one of her highlights as a junior primary school teacher was the joy she attained from teaching a Grade one child to read, write and do their maths.
"It was satisfying as most children in 1973 had never seen a pencil in their lives."
Ramasamy said there were some challenges as specialising in junior primary was fairly new back then.
"However, we received a lot of direction and guidance from the junior primary inspectresses. They were demanding but if you did your work, there was nothing to fear. Also, if you were well organised and prepared, you rarely faced any problems. We also hardly had any complaints from parents. We had an excellent work ethic, and were driven to ensure we maintained an excellent standard of education."
Ramasamy added that being a principal was both challenging and rewarding.
"One of the greatest challenges was not having enough money to uplift the school. But we were able to overcome it through our numerous fundraising drives. I also ensured my school soared to new heights. This, while there our enrolment increased from about 500 to over 800 pupils," she said.
Following the recent reports of bullying and violence at schools, Ramasamy said there was a need for consistent dialogue between the school and parents on discipline.
"Every school needs to have a code of conduct, which is adhered to. The lives of teachers and pupils can also be improved by reducing class sizes and providing training."
Ramasamy, who is the chairperson of FORT, said she now spent her retirement at the gym, dancing, sewing and being actively involved in the group.
She said FORT was formed by the group of retired teachers in September 1982.
"At a meeting with about 70 retired teachers a motion was put forward to form a group. We currently have about 90 members. We go for beach walks and to the theatre, host picnics and visit the various parks and gardens. On the cards for this later year is a Mediterranean cruise. Our aim is to bring retired teachers together to socialise and have fun with former colleagues," she said.
May Kissoon-Singh, 66, of Reservoir Hills said becoming a teacher was her only option due financial constraints.
“I could not explore any other options at the time. My dad, who was a clerk for a shipping company, was the breadwinner of our home. He could not afford to put my siblings and I through tertiary education. So, I took advantage of an education bursary, as did two of my brothers, and we became teachers. My dad was also adamant that teaching was a ‘noble profession’.”
Kissoon-Singh said after completing matric at Burnwood Secondary School, she graduated with a university diploma in education for senior primary in 1978. She later completed her bachelor of arts and bachelor of education degrees.
She said she was appointed as a teacher at Greenbury Primary School in January 1979.
“I taught English and Afrikaans to grade four and five pupils. I taught at the school for 28 years under the leadership of the principal, the late Mr SK Reddy, who moulded me into a teacher and manager.
“After years of teaching, the principal encouraged me to apply for a managerial post in 2000 and I was successfully appointed as head of department senior primary.”
Kissoon-Singh said in 2007 she went on to teach at Durwest Primary School.
“I was also in management at this school and retired there in 2021, after spending 43 years in the teaching profession.”
She said over the years there have been many achievements, including being instrumental in the opening of a media centre at both schools.
“At Greenbury Primary School, I was always involved in training the children to take part in plays, concerts, or speech contests.”
She added that during her years in the profession, she enjoyed working with both her colleagues and the education department as there was good direction and vision of what needed to be achieved.
“I also miss the interaction with my pupils in the teaching and learning environment. Interacting with these young minds and seeing them develop into young, responsible, critical thinking little individuals is absolutely priceless.“
She added while there were complaints, they were few and far between.
“The complaints were mainly discipline related issues.”
Kissoon-Singh said at the time teachers were mindful of their job requirements.
“They did not perceive it as just a job, but more of a ‘calling’. They went the extra mile to ensure that children learnt and that they were able to apply this knowledge in everyday living.
“Teachers had a passion for teaching and for educating the child holistically. They, by no means, were looking at getting rich, but rather providing for their family and kin. I believe it is important to have a passion to impart knowledge to young impressionable minds. Some other qualities that a teacher should possess are having a great deal of patience and a good sense of humour.”
Kissoon-Singh added that the current state of education was “not entirely acceptable nor pleasant”.
“According to the statistics presented this year regarding the matric pass rate, it has improved. But statistics do not paint the real picture, as when these self-same pupils enter tertiary education they fail miserably in the very first year of study.
“As far as the poor behaviour of the pupil is concerned, both parents and teachers need to work together. Discipline begins at home, and once the child knows their boundaries, life becomes much easier in the school situation.
“Furthermore, bullying is an age-old problem, especially at school. Guidance, counselling, talks and seminars as well as short plays being enacted before the pupils and thereafter, they analyse the behaviour portrayed.”
Kissoon-Singh added that there were some much-needed improvements that were required in the state-run education sector.
“I believe a smaller number of pupils in a class can allow the teacher to give greater individual attention. In addition, technology resources would be of greater benefit to a teacher. Teacher assistants to handle the paperwork and clerical duties of a teacher would also be of great assistance.
“Better working conditions and salaries would definitely provide greater motivation for the teacher. They should not be taking to the streets every time they need a better increase to their salaries,” she said.
Kissoon-Singh, who is the secretary for FORT, said she enjoyed being involved in the group.
“It's most enjoyable, as we meet with like-minded individuals, who all want to socialise with each other.”
Vasugi Devar Singh, 71, of Durban North, said while she was inspired by her father to become a teacher, she first pursued her passion for Indian classical dance abroad.
She said after completing matric at Clairwood Secondary School in 1971, she was given an opportunity to study Bharatha Natyam at a dance institution in Chennai, India.
“As a young girl this was the only type of dance we knew. We would attend classes held by other girls, who had been given the opportunity to study in India. They would open little dance schools when they returned. Many of us were products of eisteddfods. The community came together to raise funds to send the outstanding dancers to study classical Indian dance abroad. I am grateful to the community for having given us the opportunity.”
Singh said on her return to South Africa in 1975, she taught Indian classical dance in the Department of Human Movement at the then-ML Sultan Technikon.
“I started with Bharatha Natyam and then added Indian folk dance. During my time there, the class grew from 15 to 300 students. I was among the pioneers of providing Indian dance education in South Africa. During this time, I also had my own dance studio which I ran on Saturday mornings.”
Singh said she went to complete her bachelor of pedagogics in arts at the then-University of Durban Westville.
“I was inspired by my late father, Jugadheesan Devar, who was a teacher for 30 years. He thereafter became a radio presenter and later retired as a deputy director of culture.”
Singh said she started her first teaching job at Reunion Secondary School in 1984.
“In the capacity of an art specialist, I administered and controlled a whole department single-handedly for 16 years since I was the only art teacher at the school.
“In addition to the normal teaching allocation, I had to motivate pupils about the importance of offering art as an examination subject and assisted the school’s counsellor in selecting pupils who had the potential for a creative subject like the arts. I also taught English,” she said.
Singh added teachers back then were dedicated and enjoyed doing their jobs.
“We went beyond our call of duty and gave parts of ourselves to our pupils. Sadly, it seems that circumstances have changed. I believe the education authorities need to take control of what is happening in schools.”
She said in 2003, she took up the position as the art and business studies lecturer at the then-Thekwini FET College.
After she retired in 2010, she served as the secretary and later deputy president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha until 2020.
Singh, who holds a Master’s degree in arts, said she also published her first book, Bharata Natyam: A Journey from India to South Africa in 2019.
“The book was a result of my dissertation, 'Tracing the Development of Bharata Natyam as a Religious and Theatrical Dance form in the context of South Africa', which I presented for my Master’s degree. It was later converted into a coffee-table book.”
The grandmother of two said she now enjoyed working with FORT, doing yoga and dance, as well as spending time with her family.
“I also offer a voluntary consultation service providing people with information on Indian dance forms in South Africa.”
She also serves on the board of directors at the 1860 Heritage Centre.