AS a child growing up, Roy Adrian Peters entertained the dreams of becoming either a pilot or an artist as he was drawn to aspects of both of these professions. Later in life though, he saw the wisdom in accepting a job that was readily available so that he could focus on what really mattered to him – his spiritual activities. 

After completing a four-year programme at the University of Guyana, the 29-year-old graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He had applied for several jobs with his qualifications but the one he got through with first is that of teaching.
Thanks to the non-availability of the other jobs he applied for, the education sector is now privileged to have him as one its utmost professional and competent teachers. For the last four years, Roy has been serving the Charlestown Government Secondary School.
He teaches Economics from Forms Three to Five and Mathematics at the third form level. He also at times teaches Information Technology.
“Teaching wasn’t the first job I had in mind. I tried several places and this is the first job I got through with. I just took what came my way, but I’m enjoying it. It’s no longer about achieving any of my childhood goals; it’s about having a means to an end,” Roy related.
Roy has chosen to make spiritual activities, such as teaching the Bible to others, his priority in life.

Caring Parents
Roy attended the Starters Nursery School before moving on to St. Margaret’s Primary. He briefly attended the same Charlestown Government Secondary before pressing on to Richard Ishmael, St. Roses and finally, St. Stanislaus College.
Asked what was responsible for all these moves, Roy explained that it was his father who kept transferring him.
His parents, lawyer Fitz Peters and Probation Officer Deneise Ralph, really took an interest in his education and as a result, Roy was able to climb the ladder, so to speak. “I kept doing well and moving to a better school. Even though it was tough sometimes leaving friends behind, in the long run I saw the wisdom in it. My parents really looked into my education,” he expressed.

A bad attitude
Roy explained that Charlestown is a junior secondary school and though most of the students have the ability academically, they don’t have the right attitude towards school. “They can do their work but they don’t have the right attitude. Part of the blame has to do with the lack of the availability of jobs.”
“A third form student once told me that it makes no sense taking an education when there will be no jobs available afterwards. So they don’t have a proper attitude towards school because they see persons with qualifications not having jobs,” Roy explained.
To improve the school system, Roy believes that the Ministry of Education should enforce more discipline of the students. “When I went to school, it wasn’t hard for a student to be expelled once he did something bad. Now, it would have to go to welfare, counselling and all these other things. Then it has to come back, the child has to be on observation and probation. You don’t get expelled as fast as before. I think if we go back to that, children will see the seriousness of having proper behaviour,” Roy opined.
Furthermore, a next thing that can help improve the system is rewarding the students when they perform. “They need a better system for that,” he said.

Humility
Roy is quite a jovial individual who likes to lighten a mood. “This is something that developed in me over time. As a child, I watched a lot of comedy and cartoon. But certain things I don’t joke about. I know where to draw the line.”
His favourite quote is: “He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Asked why, Roy explained: “That has stuck with me for years because I have seen it being fulfilled in different aspects of my life.” Being humble has also resulted in Roy being granted additional responsibilities.

(By Telesha Ramnarine)