Vishnu Boys blazing a trail

Dr Ramesh Deosaran, head of the Department of Criminology of UWI St Augustine, said so while delivering the feature address at the second annual graduation function of the school.

Deosaran noted that the school, established two years ago by the Maha Sabha School Board of Management, had made remarkable progress over the years.

“Whatever you have achieved to date in academics and in extra-curricular activities have been the result of dynamic leadership by the principal, Bhadase Seetahal-Maraj and the commitment of the teachers.”

So well has been the school’s record that it was accepted by the Ministry of Education to establish a Sixth Form Class in 12 subjects for the CAPE Examination.

Deosaran was sure that “spirituality, discipline and culture, played a significant role in the school’s curriculum as these virtues are embodied in the philosophy of success.”

He said he heard of parents who were offering children who were successful at the SEA Examination silver cell phones and Lap top computers and he wondered what would take place when they graduate from University “as perhaps by then they would get BMW’s, Jaguars and Mercedes Benz.”

While he had no objection to the gifts, he felt that the children should be rewarded appropriately for “doing their duty.”

He said he knew of instances of “people who were paid millions for losing but I do not wish to say more for we are living in a culture directly opposite to what I am saying.”

Prof Deosaran said he knew of successful children who asked for a set of encyclopedia instead of a trip to Orlando and who were taken on a trip to Manzanilla Beach as a refreshing experience and which was very satisfactory in the end.

He said that many students who pass early examinations in life become failures along the way “and this was a case of suffering from a mental meltdown.

“Academic performance must be supported by a proper attitude to work assisted by parents to prevent a case of a mental breakdown,” he said.

“Self-responsibility was an important aspect of growing up with a positive attitude and you must keep this in focus constantly.”

He noted that “too many children cross the line because they are taught by their parents to do so. Self discipline in the home is essential to keep everyone within the law.”

“We must avoid being absorbed in this culture of greed, materialism and lawlessness which has gripped our society and is threatening to delay whatever progress we hope to make as a developing nation,” he added.

Recounted the Mission Statement of the School he said that it was a useful guide to ensure development: “To assist in the creation of a cadre of cultured citizens who will earnestly endeavour to explore the full potential of their multiple intelligences with dignity, discipline and diligence.”

Awards for academic consistency went to -Akash Mahabir, Ryan Mahabir, Vishal Ragbar, Andre Prescott, and Hemraj Sinanan. Culture - Ronnie Ramdass. Sports - Andre Mohammed. Citizenship - Taroon Samlal and Hemraj Sinanan. Academics - Kevin Persad, and Principal’s Award - Sunil Lalla.