Pregason Moodley has been a teacher for 28 years. He joined the Kharina Secondary School in Bombay Heights, Pietermaritzburg, six years ago, where he is also head of department of maths, science and computers for grades 10 to 12.
Moodley initially wanted to be a lawyer but his family was poor and he had to look for another career so he chose teaching. But he is proud to be a teacher, and finds the profession fulfilling. “Teaching for me was a gift from God. I believe it was His hand that steered me towards this noble profession,” says Moodley.
Through it he has been able to touch the lives of many children most of whom have also come from poor backgrounds and who looked up to him for inspiration and guidance. Moodley says that education, “and in particular teaching, wrestled me away from the doorsteps of jail. I used to get up to a lot of mischief during my youth”.
The Teacher put some questions to Moodley, who was the runner-up in the excellence in secondary school teaching category in the National Teaching Awards 2010.
How old are?
Fifty years.
Where did you grow up?
In Pietermaritzburg.
Where and when did you start your schooling?
I did my primary schooling from 1966 to 1972 at the Nizamia Primary School in Pietermaritzburg. Then from 1973 to 1977 I went to ML Sultan High School in the same area as Nizamia. From 1980 to 1983 I went to Transvaal College of Education for my tertiary education.
Did you have a favourite teacher?
Yes, it was a lecturer at the then Transvaal College of Education, a Mr J Kemp who lectured me in mathematics.
Why were you so fond of him?
Because he instilled in me a passion for mathematics. He loved the subject and took pride in his students. He was always introducing us to new concepts and interesting techniques. Incidentally I initially registered to study history and physical education but in my first year my maths marks were good and when I had approached Mr Kemp to join his class my marks were good.
What influence did he have on you?
He made me appreciate the simplicity of mathematics and it was because of that that I became an educator of mathematics. He introduced me to the poems of Omar Khayyam, which made us understand the importance of appreciating life and its curve balls.
Do you still have contact with him?
Unfortunately I lost contact with him after I left Gauteng. It is my wish to meet him if he is still alive.
What were your favourite subjects and why?
Mathematics and accounting – they were easy to understand. From your point of view, what are the qualities of a good teacher? He or she must be passionate, observant, caring, concerned, tolerant, knowledgeable and selfless. He or she must believe in their learners and go the extra mile to help them to succeed and should be a great motivator who is able to get learners to work together for excellence.
What are the things a teacher should never do or say?
Never demotivate a child by putting him or her down. Never call a child derogatory or hurtful names.
What message do you have for teachers in South Africa?
We must realise that the teaching profession is a gift from God, in that we are the ones who mould children and we are able to make them responsible and successful people who can add value to our world. We need to believe that our service to the child is service to God.
We must not look at the materialistic aspect of the profession but the great feeling we get when our learners excel; there is nothing in this world that can replace this. If we can buy into this sense of service without reward we will accomplish so much more with respect to our teaching practice.