RETIRED head teacher Mr. Maydha Persaud was among the most recent national awardees, receiving a Medal of Service (M.S) for dedicated service in the field of education. Shortly after receiving his award he spoke with the Guyana Chronicle expressing a deep sense of appreciation and pride. Mr. Persaud, who is now a member of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), and was born in Golden Fleece, Essequibo, comes from an extremely humble background, living his first 11 years in a logie.
Reminiscing on his life in the logie, Mr. Persaud said that was where he was shaped  into being a simple, dedicated and magnanimous person.
His illustrious and successful teaching career began in 1970 when he became an acting teacher and moved up the ladder to become a head teacher at Abrams Zuil Secondary School for 14 years. Under his astute stewardship, the school produced many top students at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC). In 2004, he did a course in Curriculum and Resource Development materials in Chennai, India.
Former Education Ministers Dr. Dale Bisnauth and Dr Henry Jeffrey both rated the school under Mr. Persaud as the best managed in the country.
It was therefore no surprise that when the Laparkan Group of Companies initiated the Best Teacher Award in 2002 he was the first to cop it and take a million-dollar award.
He attributes 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, a devout Hindu, has also been very vibrant in community work, having served as Secretary of the Suddie Station Management Committee; Secretary to the Abrams Zuil Community Policing Group; a member of Food For the Poor; treasurer of Cullen Mandir; member of the Region 2 Education and training Committee and several others.
“My personal motto is I am still learning,” Mr. Persaud declared, thanking God for his prestigious award and said his wife and children gave him the inspiration and drive to help others succeed.