The Pandit Krishna Maharaj
Caroni Hindu School
This school is located at Southern Main Road, Caroni, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. We are a primary school of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, established in 1955. The Pundit Krishna Maharaj (memorial) Caroni Hindu School is the brainchild of the late Bhadase Sagan Maharaj and other villagers of the Caroni District.
Under the leadership of Mr.Bhadase Sagan Maharaj, some of the villagers in Caroni got together to establish a Hindu School in the village. There was a grand raffle, by a Hindu youth group, to raise funds. Villagers and well wishers also donated funds to assist in this project. The land was donated by Caroni Ltd.
The building was completed in early August, 1955 but the school was officially opened on 28th August, 1955. Pundit Krishna Maharaj blessed the school while the General Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Mr. Simbhoonath Capildeo, at that time, introduced the first Principal, Mr. Hanooman Katwaroo, and the first eight teachers. The teachers were as follows:
§ Senior Teacher Mr. Moonoon Siewsankar (Deceased - Pasea)
§ Mr. Lai Manwah (La Paille)
§ Mr. Feroz Mohammed (Charlieville)
§ Mrs. Shamshoon Mohammed Kalloo (La Paille)
§ Mr. Mahadeo Rosan (Pupil teacher & Common Entrance teacher from Caroni Village)
§ Ms. Tara Persad
§ Mr. Herman Rampersad
§ Mr. Indar Lai
Since then, the face of our school has changed dramatically, with the addition of an Infant annex in 2001, which houses 150 children. In 2011, yet another annex was added to accommodate the sizable examination classes, with our population now reaching five hundred and seven (507) as compared to the one hundred and fifty (150) pupils originally admitted at the time of our establishment in 1955. Our school caters to pupils within the catchment areas of Kelly Village, Cunupia, Frederick Settlement and La Paille Village.
As The Caroni Hindu School population grew, so too did the teaching staff. Our staff now includes 18 teachers, three Janitors and one Clerical officer.
The following are the Principals and Acting Principals of the Caroni Hindu School from 1955 to the present:
1955 - Mr. Hanooman Katwaroo
1989 - Mr. Ramkay Surat Singh (deceased)
1989 - Acting Principal - Mrs. Shamshoon Mohammed Kalloo
1989 - Principal- Mr. Mahadeo Rosan
1995 - Acting Principal - Mr. Rambhajan
1996 - Principal - Mr. Durga Maharaj
2006 - Acting Principal - Ms. Basdaye Gosine
2006 - Principal - Mr. Michael Babwah
2012 - Acting Principal - Ms. Basdaye Gosine
Even though all of these principals made sterling contributions, we mention just a few and some highlights of their careers.
Mr. Mahadeo Rosan was instrumental in getting the floor of the school changed from a wooden floor to terrazzo.
A number of changes were made to this school when Mr. Durga Maharaj came into office as Principal. The physical features and the surrounding of the school were changed drastically. The muddy yard filled with cow dung was paved and the garden was created. The fence around the school was done as before there were just two gates at the front of the building (and no fence). The roof was changed and a shed was put up. The cafeteria became operational and water tanks were installed. A new principal's office was built, a staff room was made available for teachers and a security booth was built.
The Durga Maharaj annex was also inaugurated during this time (2001). We are indeed proud to have been of assistance to the newly formed Vishnu Boys Hindu College with whom we shared the compound of Caroni Hindu School until the new buildings were constructed and they were able to move into their own.
Mr. Michael Babwah was responsible for the installation of new ceilings, the construction of an annex, upgrades to the sewer system, construction of a mandir, and other infrastructural upgrades. Under his watch the school flourished and discipline reached new improved levels. The Parent Teacher Association received a new lease on life and became more closely involved with the school.
The Dharmacharya Pt. Krishna Maharaj as he attended his final yagya at our school.
One of our crowning moments came when the school was renamed in 1998 in honour of the Dharamacharya, Pt. Krishna Maharaj, who was a leader in whom we placed great trust. He was a gentle soul, a guru, a father figure, a holy man and a friend to all. Even in his last days here with us, he still had time to share a song, a smile and good advice with his many shishyas and pupils of our school. Our school was proud to be so closely associated with this holy personage and we were privileged to provide the facilities where his Antyeshti Sanskar took place. Our school proved to be the starting point for his heavenly journey. We pray that Bhagwan Krishna continues to keep him in his company and rain his blessings down upon us.
In 1999 our school entered the computer age with the installation of a computer laboratory, outfitted with fourteen (14) computer terminals, the brainchild of the then Principal Mr. Durga Maharaj, together with a fully functional library funded by the S.I.P.S. programme. In 2007, the computer laboratory was refurbished and upgraded to accommodate a total of seventeen (17) units as well as to provide internet services to enable our pupils access to the world wide web in guided research.
Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerth of India
In 2002, we were most fortunate to host a yagya which was attended by His Holiness Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerth of India.
Since then, we have been fortunate to host Ramayan satsanghs, annual Saraswati poojas, Maha Laxshmi Poojas at Divali and our weekly Saraswati pooja at school. We are in the process of constructing our own mandir on the school compound, where the Murties of Devi Radha and Shri Krishna are to be installed.
Our annual Saraswati puja 2012. Approximately 80 pupils participated.
It is to the credit of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha that all of its schools were instructed to train its pupils in the performing arts, specifically dramatization of Ramleela and all of the technical aspects of producing and presenting a play in both indoor and outdoor settings. The pupils of these schools are being well prepared for V.A.P.A. and being taught to use drama in expressing themselves.
Pupils play Ramleela in front of our mandir which is almost completed.
As an educational institution under the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, we are required to educate our pupils in both the sectarian and non sectarian areas. As such, the activities taking place at the school range from the annual Baal Vikas Vihaar, classes in hindi, dance, ramayan, ramleela and music to the areas of sport, drama, art, craft, red cross, cub scouts and agriculture.
Ramleela portrayal of Lord Ram and Lakshman.
All of these areas are taught and supervised by the members of staff at school who lend their expertise and guidance to the effective teaching of these disciplines. Incidentally, our teachers come from varied backgrounds and have developed skills in different areas, which add to the rich melting pot of expertise available at our school. At our school, one hour has been set aside on Friday evenings for group activities in Drama, Art, Craft, Rudiments of Physical Education and an Introductory class in Indian Classical Music. In addition to our co-curricular activities and extra-curricular activities, the success rate of the academic areas is also on the rise, as our school is considered to be one of the performance based schools of the district.
Great attention is being paid on a daily basis to methodologies which can be used to enhance pupil performance. Almost all of our teachers have acquired or are in the process of acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in education. We have spared no effort in ensuring a quality education for our pupils.
Pupil of Caroni Hindu School, accompanied by teachers, performs Local Classical at Baal Vikas 2011.
We have embarked on several workshops aimed at staff development in conjunction with other schools in order to foster a spirit of camaraderie between our staffs, boards and schools. In fact, we recently completed a reading workshop in conjunction with the Plum Mitan Presbyterian School as well as an Art and Craft workshop in conjunction with Caroni Presbyterian School, where both staffs came together to refine our talents and become more effective in the delivery of the curriculum and be better prepared to instruct our pupils in Visual and Performing Arts, as this will soon be a requirement of the Ministry of Education for future Secondary Entrance Examinations. Our Principal and teachers are always seeking to find more inventive and innovative ways to make a difference and enhance the delivery of the curriculum at the school.
Teachers of Caroni Hindu School and Caroni Presbyterian school work at an Art and Craft held recently. The course of instruction was conducted by Ms. Geeta Maraj, a teacher of Caroni Hindu School.
Caroni Hindu School, under the leadership of its Principals and Staff members has been working assiduously toward taking its pupils into the 21st Century through the infusion of technology into the delivery of the curriculum. In addition to the many positive changes that are taking place in the delivery of the curriculum, there are many improvements which are underway in the physical environment of the school. In the last few months, we have had paving of parts of the school grounds, addition of a covered assembly area adjoining the infant annex and we have started to construct a new visitor parking lot as well as a new playing field for the students. In the past few years, this school has become quite successful at sports, fielding successful athletes in a number of areas.
We at Caroni Hindu School wish to extend thanks to The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha for their continued confidence in us.
Satya Sanatan Dharma Ki Jai!
Caroni Hindu School
This school is located at Southern Main Road, Caroni, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. We are a primary school of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, established in 1955. The Pundit Krishna Maharaj (memorial) Caroni Hindu School is the brainchild of the late Bhadase Sagan Maharaj and other villagers of the Caroni District.
Under the leadership of Mr.Bhadase Sagan Maharaj, some of the villagers in Caroni got together to establish a Hindu School in the village. There was a grand raffle, by a Hindu youth group, to raise funds. Villagers and well wishers also donated funds to assist in this project. The land was donated by Caroni Ltd.
The building was completed in early August, 1955 but the school was officially opened on 28th August, 1955. Pundit Krishna Maharaj blessed the school while the General Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Mr. Simbhoonath Capildeo, at that time, introduced the first Principal, Mr. Hanooman Katwaroo, and the first eight teachers. The teachers were as follows:
§ Senior Teacher Mr. Moonoon Siewsankar (Deceased - Pasea)
§ Mr. Lai Manwah (La Paille)
§ Mr. Feroz Mohammed (Charlieville)
§ Mrs. Shamshoon Mohammed Kalloo (La Paille)
§ Mr. Mahadeo Rosan (Pupil teacher & Common Entrance teacher from Caroni Village)
§ Ms. Tara Persad
§ Mr. Herman Rampersad
§ Mr. Indar Lai
Since then, the face of our school has changed dramatically, with the addition of an Infant annex in 2001, which houses 150 children. In 2011, yet another annex was added to accommodate the sizable examination classes, with our population now reaching five hundred and seven (507) as compared to the one hundred and fifty (150) pupils originally admitted at the time of our establishment in 1955. Our school caters to pupils within the catchment areas of Kelly Village, Cunupia, Frederick Settlement and La Paille Village.
As The Caroni Hindu School population grew, so too did the teaching staff. Our staff now includes 18 teachers, three Janitors and one Clerical officer.
The following are the Principals and Acting Principals of the Caroni Hindu School from 1955 to the present:
1955 - Mr. Hanooman Katwaroo
1989 - Mr. Ramkay Surat Singh (deceased)
1989 - Acting Principal - Mrs. Shamshoon Mohammed Kalloo
1989 - Principal- Mr. Mahadeo Rosan
1995 - Acting Principal - Mr. Rambhajan
1996 - Principal - Mr. Durga Maharaj
2006 - Acting Principal - Ms. Basdaye Gosine
2006 - Principal - Mr. Michael Babwah
2012 - Acting Principal - Ms. Basdaye Gosine
Even though all of these principals made sterling contributions, we mention just a few and some highlights of their careers.
Mr. Mahadeo Rosan was instrumental in getting the floor of the school changed from a wooden floor to terrazzo.
A number of changes were made to this school when Mr. Durga Maharaj came into office as Principal. The physical features and the surrounding of the school were changed drastically. The muddy yard filled with cow dung was paved and the garden was created. The fence around the school was done as before there were just two gates at the front of the building (and no fence). The roof was changed and a shed was put up. The cafeteria became operational and water tanks were installed. A new principal's office was built, a staff room was made available for teachers and a security booth was built.
The Durga Maharaj annex was also inaugurated during this time (2001). We are indeed proud to have been of assistance to the newly formed Vishnu Boys Hindu College with whom we shared the compound of Caroni Hindu School until the new buildings were constructed and they were able to move into their own.
Mr. Michael Babwah was responsible for the installation of new ceilings, the construction of an annex, upgrades to the sewer system, construction of a mandir, and other infrastructural upgrades. Under his watch the school flourished and discipline reached new improved levels. The Parent Teacher Association received a new lease on life and became more closely involved with the school.
The Dharmacharya Pt. Krishna Maharaj as he attended his final yagya at our school.
One of our crowning moments came when the school was renamed in 1998 in honour of the Dharamacharya, Pt. Krishna Maharaj, who was a leader in whom we placed great trust. He was a gentle soul, a guru, a father figure, a holy man and a friend to all. Even in his last days here with us, he still had time to share a song, a smile and good advice with his many shishyas and pupils of our school. Our school was proud to be so closely associated with this holy personage and we were privileged to provide the facilities where his Antyeshti Sanskar took place. Our school proved to be the starting point for his heavenly journey. We pray that Bhagwan Krishna continues to keep him in his company and rain his blessings down upon us.
In 1999 our school entered the computer age with the installation of a computer laboratory, outfitted with fourteen (14) computer terminals, the brainchild of the then Principal Mr. Durga Maharaj, together with a fully functional library funded by the S.I.P.S. programme. In 2007, the computer laboratory was refurbished and upgraded to accommodate a total of seventeen (17) units as well as to provide internet services to enable our pupils access to the world wide web in guided research.
Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerth of India
In 2002, we were most fortunate to host a yagya which was attended by His Holiness Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerth of India.
Since then, we have been fortunate to host Ramayan satsanghs, annual Saraswati poojas, Maha Laxshmi Poojas at Divali and our weekly Saraswati pooja at school. We are in the process of constructing our own mandir on the school compound, where the Murties of Devi Radha and Shri Krishna are to be installed.
Our annual Saraswati puja 2012. Approximately 80 pupils participated.
It is to the credit of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha that all of its schools were instructed to train its pupils in the performing arts, specifically dramatization of Ramleela and all of the technical aspects of producing and presenting a play in both indoor and outdoor settings. The pupils of these schools are being well prepared for V.A.P.A. and being taught to use drama in expressing themselves.
Pupils play Ramleela in front of our mandir which is almost completed.
As an educational institution under the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, we are required to educate our pupils in both the sectarian and non sectarian areas. As such, the activities taking place at the school range from the annual Baal Vikas Vihaar, classes in hindi, dance, ramayan, ramleela and music to the areas of sport, drama, art, craft, red cross, cub scouts and agriculture.
Ramleela portrayal of Lord Ram and Lakshman.
All of these areas are taught and supervised by the members of staff at school who lend their expertise and guidance to the effective teaching of these disciplines. Incidentally, our teachers come from varied backgrounds and have developed skills in different areas, which add to the rich melting pot of expertise available at our school. At our school, one hour has been set aside on Friday evenings for group activities in Drama, Art, Craft, Rudiments of Physical Education and an Introductory class in Indian Classical Music. In addition to our co-curricular activities and extra-curricular activities, the success rate of the academic areas is also on the rise, as our school is considered to be one of the performance based schools of the district.
Great attention is being paid on a daily basis to methodologies which can be used to enhance pupil performance. Almost all of our teachers have acquired or are in the process of acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in education. We have spared no effort in ensuring a quality education for our pupils.
Pupil of Caroni Hindu School, accompanied by teachers, performs Local Classical at Baal Vikas 2011.
We have embarked on several workshops aimed at staff development in conjunction with other schools in order to foster a spirit of camaraderie between our staffs, boards and schools. In fact, we recently completed a reading workshop in conjunction with the Plum Mitan Presbyterian School as well as an Art and Craft workshop in conjunction with Caroni Presbyterian School, where both staffs came together to refine our talents and become more effective in the delivery of the curriculum and be better prepared to instruct our pupils in Visual and Performing Arts, as this will soon be a requirement of the Ministry of Education for future Secondary Entrance Examinations. Our Principal and teachers are always seeking to find more inventive and innovative ways to make a difference and enhance the delivery of the curriculum at the school.
Teachers of Caroni Hindu School and Caroni Presbyterian school work at an Art and Craft held recently. The course of instruction was conducted by Ms. Geeta Maraj, a teacher of Caroni Hindu School.
Caroni Hindu School, under the leadership of its Principals and Staff members has been working assiduously toward taking its pupils into the 21st Century through the infusion of technology into the delivery of the curriculum. In addition to the many positive changes that are taking place in the delivery of the curriculum, there are many improvements which are underway in the physical environment of the school. In the last few months, we have had paving of parts of the school grounds, addition of a covered assembly area adjoining the infant annex and we have started to construct a new visitor parking lot as well as a new playing field for the students. In the past few years, this school has become quite successful at sports, fielding successful athletes in a number of areas.
We at Caroni Hindu School wish to extend thanks to The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha for their continued confidence in us.
Satya Sanatan Dharma Ki Jai!