Tagore Memorial Secondary School- Established 1942
Founded over 80 years ago, Tagore Memorial Secondary School now stands proudly at No. 63 Village Corentyne, Berbice, having produced countless doctors, lawyers, educators, businessmen and successful citizens in all walks of life. The founding father was Mr. Joshua Ranjit (JR) Latchmansingh. He was the Principal of the Primary School at Massiah, but his vision was to bring secondary education to the Upper Corentyne, where poverty and religion precluded the children from education beyond Standard four or five (10-11 years old). He was especially concerned about the education for young girls who had no prospects of a future, other than getting married at the age of 15 or 16.
With two teachers, Neranjan O. Poonai, as Principal and S.S. Chandra as Assistant, selected by JR, the doors of the Tagore Memorial High School opened for the first time on Monday 12th January 1942, with a dozen students. The school was an empty dwelling, belonging to one Karim, at number 74 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Rabindranath Tagore, the great poet-philosopher of India had died in 1941, and it was thought fitting to name the school after him. The motto chosen "Nihil Sin Labore" (Nothing Without Hard Work) was not a passing catch phrase, but rather an acknowledgement of the struggles that lay ahead.
Unfortunately, the Principal had to leave after a few months, followed by several changes in the succeeding years, including a period of time when the school was closed. The following are some highlights:
- In 1942, shortly after the departure of the principal, the school moved to No. 74 Village, occupying the upper flat of a building owned by Mr. Nabob Khan.
- In August 1944, with much ceremony, the cornerstone for Tagore Memorial High School was laid at a large site, donated by the residents, in number 73 Village.
- In January 1944, to remain independent from an amalgamation into a Lutheran school in Springlands, Tagore move to number 64 Village, occupying the lower level of Seuknandhan's (Munsi's) building.
- During 1951-1952, a new building was erected on land donated by Mr. A. Rahaman at number 63 Village.
- 1974 - December, the then President of Guyana, L.F.S. Burnham announced in his "Declaration of Sophia", the nationalization of all industries in Guyana, including education. As a result, shortly afterward, the name of the school was changed from Tagore Memorial High School to Tagore Memorial Secondary School.
- 1981 - S.S. Chandra retired after almost 40 years of serving Tagore Memorial High School, including 20 years as Principal. At the time there were 29 teachers and over 800 students. In some classes girls outnumbered boys!
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For those interested, below is a historical record of Tagore Memorial High School from its inception to 1976, written by S.S. Chandra.
