If a child cannot learn the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn – Sir Rajkumar Khemraj

Teachers play an essential role in our life to become successful in career and business. A good teacher helps us to become a good human being in society and a good citizen of the country. Teachers know that students are the future of any nation.

Sir Rajkumar Khemraj along with pupils at Akawini Primary School

So the future development of any nation is in the hands of teachers. What we become in life depends on teachers. They impart knowledge in the brain of students to analyze. Analyzing the situation that is possible is the most important thing that we learn from teachers.

One such person who has been moulding the impressionable minds of our future leaders is 22-year-old Rajkumar Khemraj. This young man stated that he always wanted to become a teacher and is now fulfilling his dreams. 

Going back to his formative years, Khemraj grew up in a small roadside fishing/farming community known as The Jib in Region Two (Pomeroon – Supenaam) with his two other siblings. He attended the Walton Hall Nursery School then the Hampton Court Primary School before being awarded a place at the Anna Regina Multilateral School.

The Primary School teacher explained that he did all the things that a normal child would do while growing up. 

Growing up, my brother would assist me with my school work. We would play together and share ideas with each other. Since I was a child in Primary School, I always wanted to become a teacher or a doctor. However, my dream came through, and I’m now a teacher.

He graduated from the latter in 2014 with nine subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). After completing his secondary education, Khemraj applied to the Teaching Service Commission in October 2014. 

He took up his position as a teacher in February 2015 at the Akawini Primary School located in the Lower Pomeroon River. 

I joined the teaching profession because it was my dream to become a teacher since I was small growing up. I always wanted to help people in my community and the region as a whole. I also joined teaching because here in Region Two. It is very hard to get a job when someone finishes school.

After teaching at Akawini Primary School for two years, Khemraj was seconded to Hampton Court Primary School in 2017 after he began his Associate Degree in Education at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). The young man noted that teaching at Akawini Primary was an arduous task. 

Teaching at Akawini Primary was very hard because it is located very far from the coastland. I had to do everything for myself, where I became a very independent person. Teaching in the hinterland wasn’t easy at all.

He further added that studying at CPCE was not a walk in the park, but he made it work. 

It was very challenging at times because I had to work(teach) during the day and attend classes in the afternoon. I had many sleepless nights in order to complete assignments, and I also had to prepare work for school to teach the following day. I was very rough at times because I had to use my salary every month to buy teaching materials for my class due to teaching practice I had to do.

After completing his studies at CPCE in July 2019, he had returned to Akawini Primary School to serve the community for another year. During the year, he had applied for a transfer and was placed at the Charity Primary School. He presently teaches Grade three. 

Recently, this year in February month, I was moved from Akawini Primary (annex) and placed at the main school where I was left in charge of the school.  There I gained lots of experience which I will never forget.

Though there is a heightened level of violence against teachers, Khemraj said that he is not deterred.

This does not deter me because I love what I do, and I do it to the best of my ability.

Sir Rajkumar credited his success to the Almighty God and his family, who have been his pillars of strength. 

I would credit my success to God because without him, nothing is possible. I would also thank my parents for being there for me all time and giving me time off from various chores at home that I had to do, also my siblings for always helping me out whenever I needed help in anything. 

Recognizing the fact that teaching takes patience, Sir Khemraj advice to persons aspiring to join the profession is to “love what you do.”

My advice to anyone that wants to join the teaching profession is it calls for a lot of patience when dealing with small kids, and if you love what you do, just go for it. Nothing is hard once you put your mind to do it.

As the education sector grapples with the adverse effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Sir Khemraj noted that most of his students do not have internet access, which has been his major challenge.

This COVID-19 pandemic saw me sending worksheets to parents via WhatsApp.The parents that do not have internet access and gadgets are finding it very difficult for virtual learning…however, I’m trying my best to help everyone I know.

When Khemraj is not working or too busy, he is engaged in cooking, meeting new people, and looking at educational videos. He soon intends to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, followed by his Masters’ Degree in Education. The young man plans on becoming a headteacher and services the children in his region.