HALF of a century is always a momentous and significant achievement for anyone, particularly in an area of speciality.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Technical Officer/Facilitator to the Chief Education Officer (CEO) and former Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission, Francesca Vieira, about her life and career in education, which spans 50 years.

Born and raised in the village of Moruca in Region One (Barima / Waini), Vieira began her teaching career at just 15.

“I started my formal education at the age of four because, according to the Catholic Nuns, I was able to read the textbooks quite fluently, so they admitted me before the required age which was five years. I guess that is why I was able to complete my primary and post-primary education at the early age of 14 years,” Vieira told Pepperpot Magazine in an interview.

Vieira recalled that there were no opportunities to further her studies at the time because her parents could not afford to provide accommodation for her to attend a secondary school in Georgetown, which was made available to her by the Catholic nuns,who managed most of the Catholic Schools in the country in those days. So she completed her education at the Santa Rosa Primary School.

She noted that at the beginning, teaching was not her preferred choice of career. She wanted to be a nurse.

“I had to attend medical examinations for both career choices, for the Teachers Training College and for the Guyana School of Nursing, which were done just like days apart and surprisingly, I got accepted for [the] Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), but was not accepted for the Nursing School. That was a turning point for me. Thus, it helped me to make a decision on a nursing career or to continue in the teaching profession,” she told Pepperpot Magazine.

Vieira is the second child of five siblings and the only teacher/educator in her immediate family. However, she has three nieces who are also in the teaching profession.
She recalled the first time she worked in the education fraternity.

“Well, my experience as a Pupil Teacher and Temporary Unqualified Mistress at Santa Rosa RC School for six years geared me to function effectively in the classroom. After completing the upgrading examinations (end of Third-Year and Fourth-Year Teachers’ Examinations) I was admitted to the Cyril Potter College of Education in 1977. When I graduated in 1979, I was unable to return to Santa Rosa School because of illness. So based on the advice of a caring Principal, Ms Olive Lyken at that time, I was appointed at the Montrose Primary School on the East Coast of Demerara. This was not my choice, but because of illness, I had no other option but to remain so that I could easily access medical treatment. Being a young female away from home and with financial constraints, I went through a tough time as it relates to accessing suitable living accommodation,” Vieira told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Giving up is not an option
Asked whether there were times when she felt like giving up, Vieira responded that she saw education as a way of getting out of poverty since she and her family often experienced financial constraints.

“I believe that education is a means of upliftment both financially and socially, and so I was eager to study and work, whether it was as a teacher or in any other field, so that I could progress and even further my studies. I must say that both of my parents were always very supportive, even though they were not fortunate to complete their formal education. Nevertheless, they did their best by providing the basic necessities to ensure that we completed our formal education and qualified ourselves in whatever field we chose,” She told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Motivators and Inspirators
Vieira disclosed that the Catholic Nuns, former Principal Ms Lyken, and other tutors of CPCE were among the people who inspired and motivated her in her career as a teacher.

The educator noted that she always had people who inspired her along her career path.

“I got my satisfaction by simply helping and empowering students/teachers with whom I interact as I worked and travelled from region to region, during my tenure, while I served and continue to serve in the various positions,” she said.

In a recent article published by the Guyana Chronicle on September 14, 2021, it was revealed that Vieira has served as a public servant/educator for 50 years.

Her legacy can be viewed as an esteemed educator who has made significant contributions towards the development of the education sector of Guyana. On many occasions she has been commended for her dedicated and unselfish service as an educator and public servant.

According to the article, many persons could also attest that she is a strong, passionate advocate for the educational development of hinterland and riverine communities, for which she must be applauded.