Rabindranath Tagore Secondary School Official

147 pupils (boys and girls) who were recruited in 2002 by the Ministry of Education were thus taken charge of by the MGI/RTI. These pupils are from different regions, some are from Port Louis, others from Flacq, Belle Rose, Cap Malheureux etc. Most of them got a seat at the RTSS because they could not find a seat in any other State Secondary School of the island. Their CPE rankings range from 1200 to 4500, most of them were ranked 3000 and above. As from 2003, the school started recruiting pupils on a regional basis and most of the pupils are from Ilot, D’Epinay, Pamplemousses, Montagne Longue and nearby regions. Hence, the pupils of this region have an MGI at their doorsteps. Today the RTSS has a school population of 810 pupils, 70 full time teachers, 5 Music and Dance teachers, 3 Administrative Staff and 18 members of non-teaching staff. Mr Mahend Gungapersad is the Rector and Mrs Kavita Bhuckory is the Deputy Rector of the RTSS. Since its beginning the RTSS has innovated in various ways to ensure that Quality Education is imparted to its pupils. On the academic side,

• pupils are provided remedial classes during recess or holidays (especially the present Form V batch because they have certain weaknesses given their CPE ranking)

• Each class has its own class library and the reading culture is inculcated in them.

• All pedagogical facilities (Library, Labs, Gymnasium, Computer Room etc) are provided to them.

• Teachers prepare exam reports after the 2nd and 3rd term Exams held at the school. These exam reports help both teachers and pupils to re orient teaching and learning in effective way. The RTSS participates in many extra curricular activities ranging from athletics to swimming competitions, Ramayana chanting to National Drama Competitions, Spelling Bee to Alliance Française. It is nice to note that in almost all these competitions, the RTSS manages to bag prizes and laurels. The school annually organises Gandhi (2nd October) and Tagore (7th May) Days to mark the birth of these illustrious sons of India in order to be inspired by their social and literary achievements. Some students have participated in the play “the Post Office” staged by the Rabindranath Tagore Institute. The RTSS is a very high demand school of the region and this places added responsibility on the personnel of the school so that everyone lives up to expectations. That is why values, discipline and social service are integral components of the holistic education imparted to the pupils. On the last day of the first term this year, the pupils and staff organised a Food Day in order to contribute financially for the surgical operations of 7- year old Chavesh Poonye and Appadu of Droopnath Ramphul, both suffering from Leukemia. A sum of Rs 40, 000 was collected and donated to these two young Mauritians for surgical operation overseas. At the level of the school, we have the FEED THE NEEDY PROJECT whereby students who come very poor families are provided with lunch daily and also other pedagogical support. The RTSSPTA is a model PTA with well intentioned parents who are always ready to provide their support to the school. The staff and parents of the RTSS work jointly and undertake almost all activities in joint collaboration. The President and the other executive members are people who keep the education of their children as their main focal point. They strongly believe in holistic education and never hesitate to finance school projects which are in the interest of the pupils and staff. Morning assembly is held on a daily basis at the school. It is an excellent forum for the Rector and staff to communicate with the pupils. Quite regularly, pupils also are given the opportunity to present poems, read extracts from novels or share their views on given issues. This helps in their personality development. The school organises Open Days annually and primary and secondary school students of the vicinity are always invited to attend them. The school also has its Prevocational section and these pupils are given every opportunity to develop their potentialities. They are given more than education and training, they are given love and affection so that they develop a positive self image and realise how worthwhile they can be to their families and the society. Many independent observers believe that the Pre Vocational section of the RTSS is doing well. Given that most of the pupils come from very modest backgrounds with different forms of economic and social problems, every care is taken to support the pupils. For instance, one doctor and one nutritionist visit the school on a monthly basis to sensitise the pupils about their health. Regular talks on Road Safety, S*x Abuse, Drug Abuse are organised. Thrice yearly, book exhibitions are held by the Edition de L’Ocean Indien to whet the reading appetite of the pupils and staff. During the school holidays, the school premises are open for pupils-the library, the gymnasium, the Computer room, the play fields are put at the disposal of pupils as they live in the region. The aim is to encourage them to spend Quality Holidays. Discipline is the stronghold of the school. Discipline is maintained by the various disciplinary committees and their primary role id not to punish or reprimand pupils but to guide, reform, counsel and communicate with those who may have problems. There are Drama, Health, UNESCO, LITERARY, ENVIRONMENT Clubs which give students the opportunity to develop fully. The Student Council and Prefects help in consolidating the good image of the school in and outside the school. The RTSS strives very hard to be a pioneer secondary school, devising means and ways to upgrade quality teaching and quality learning. It aspires to be a Mauritian version of the Shantiniketan. Time only will tell how far we succeed in our endeavours.