If anyone had whispered into her ears 24 years ago and told her that she would be at the helm of four thriving private education institutions today, Miss Camille Deokie-Gorakh would have laughed. But this is, in fact, the reality she is living! She is the Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the prestigious Camille’s Academy Inc.
Director and CEO of Camille’s Academy Inc
But to understand her drive to transform the education sector, one would have to go way back to her childhood days where she taught children from Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), from her dad’s garage.
I never planned to be a teacher, but I was asked to tutor a few of the neighbour’s children after I did well at my exams. My students did well at their exams, and I was encouraged to continue tutoring. My dad built a few desks and chairs, and we operated from our garage.
In the year of 2000, Miss Deokie-Gorakh established the first private school on the East Bank of Demerara with 65 students under the name “Camille’s Institute for Business and Science Studies,” which is now known as Camille’s Academy Inc.
As her knack for moulding the minds of our future generation grew, so was the Academy. She managed to expand the institution from the Soesdyke branch to Lusignan, on the East Coast Demerara, Diamond, on the East Bank Demerara and Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The veteran educator believes that her passion for delivering quality education in a conducive environment has resulted in her well-rounded students.
Notability, there are about 1000 full-time and part-time students ranging from nursery all the way up to fifth form level, who are pursuing their studies at the Academy.
“Extra-curricular activities including pursuits in sport, field trips, the performing arts, and fitness are thrown in for good measure in an effort to offer the institution’s charges a rounded education,” Miss Deokie-Gorakh said.
Camille’s Academy Inc. has been known for securing the top 1 percent in the National Grade Six Assessment (NSGA) and consistently produced an 80 percent pass rate at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
Miss Camille Deokie-Gorakh
Miss Deokie-Gorakh is presently the Deputy chairperson at the Guyana Women Leadership Institute – Ministry of Human Services & Social Security, President of ActionInvest Toastmasters club, and Peace Ambassador at the Universal Peace federation-Guyana chapter.
As an Educator and Business executive, Miss Deokie-Gorakh was recently awarded the ‘Woman in Business’ for 2020 by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the silver recipient award for ‘Female Entrepreneur of the year’ at BIZX2020 hosted by ActionCoach International.
She is also a member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Guyana, and currently holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management. The businesswoman urges girls and women to dream big, set ‘SMART ’goals, and have a disciplined mindset.
“Choose to challenge yourself, seek out to influence and encourage as many women as possible, thereby creating a positive impact in this world. Focus on your goals, not your fears – FEAR is just our false expectations appearing real, instead develop a positive mindset and Face Everything And Rise,” she concluded.
