By Indrawattie Natram

MAYDHA Persaud fondly known by all as Sir Maydha, has reached a milestone in his life. On April 19 he will be celebrating 50 years as an active classroom teacher. The name Sir Maydha has become a household name in the entire Pomeroon-Supenaam region as he is known for his humanitarian works and is also considered to be the best Mathematics teacher.
During an interview with Sir Maydha, he said his career started on April 19, 1971, when he started his teaching profession at Fisher Primary School in Golden Fleece, Region Two. He said that was a very memorable day for him and he reflected that being a teacher he quickly got everyone’s attention with excellent results at examinations.

Persaud has devoted his life to helping children get an education and for them to see themselves as empowered. Since 1971 he has been giving extra tuition to students to help them pass their examinations. Back in the 80s, Persaud converted his parent’s house into a classroom arena where he used to conduct night classes.

Reflecting on his life, he said he spent 11 years living in a “Logie” – a house built by indentured immigrants back in the days. He related that

his struggles had led him into becoming an epitome of a teacher.

Persaud said that whatever he does he always insists on discipline and hard work. In 1983 he was transferred to the Abram Zuil Secondary school where he continued with diligence and was quickly promoted to Senior Master/Deputy Headmaster then Principal. At Abram Zuil he worked beyond the call of duty and made Abram Zuil one of the top schools in Guyana. As the population increased because of the school’s successful academic and co-curricular activities, he and the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) built a troolie benab and two large tents to be used as classrooms.

During his tenure at Abram Zuil Secondary School, the school did excellently at regional examinations and debating competitions. He taught Mathematics, English A, English B, Geography at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Biology and Human Biology at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) levels. He credited his success to teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

His favourite quote is “A fish rots from its head.” When asked to encapsulate his sojourn, he said, “I have sown the seeds of knowledge in the heads and flowers of love in the hearts of thousands of students. I have wiped the tears from the eyes of poor students and put sparkling smiles on their faces.”
After retirement, he continues to tutor students who need help with CSEC Mathematics and English. He never insisted students pay for tuition. Poor children are entirely exempted from even paying for their lessons. He gives free accommodation for students coming from the Pomeroon and lakes and even helped students from the New Opportunity Corps to write the CSEC examinations.

His shining moment came when in 2001 he was adjudged the best teacher in Guyana, resulting in him being the recipient of one million Guyana dollars and also a trip to his ancestral land, India. This gem of a teacher still gives students CSEC lessons voluntarily.

At the age of 69 years, Sir Maydha is encouraging his fellow educators to continue to dedicate their energies to changing the lives of children.
“I want to let educators know that he who opens the school door closes the prison gate and another one of my favourite quotes is, ‘there if I grow the harvest is yours’.”
The Pepperpot Magazine caught up with a few past and present students who said that Sir Maydha is a “World Class Teacher,” “the best teacher I ever had” and also the “teacher with the most patience.”

Sir Maydha intends to continue to help children. He is the proud father of two children Gem and Khem Persaud. His wife Juliet Persaud said that she admires the enthusiasm of her husband and the way he dedicates his time and passion to teaching, even though he is retired.