A teacher beyond compare
It was a gloomy Thursday morning when Rismi Riyal, a distinguished past student of Gampola Zahira College called me and conveyed the sad news of his mother’s death early that morning. Khairun-Nisa Riyal was a teacher at Gampola Zahira College at the time I was serving that institution as principal.
The news of her death not only engulfed me in a pall of sadness but also took me down memory lane. I vividly remember her as a dedicated, hardworking teacher, always ready to shoulder any responsibility that would lead to the betterment of students in both curricular and extra-curricular activities of the school.
Ms. Riyal was blessed with three promising children, Rismi, Ramzi and Fazana; she loved them and left no stone unturned, sacrificing whatever she could to bring them up. She endowed them with sterling qualities which stood them in good stead later in life. This love and concern for her children, she extended to her Gampola Zahira students who will remember her with a sense of gratitude. It is no wonder that she had been blessed with thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They all adored her. This, I believe is a reward from Allah for the deep and abiding affection she showered on all children.
I recall an unforgettable experience that teachers of Gampola Zahira of that era experienced some 42 ago. Gampola Zahira had just ended a week-long celebration called “Zahira Week”, to commemorate its 25th year, culminating in the college prize giving with Governor General William Gopollawa and his wife gracing the occasion as chief guests. As dusk descended on the town, the lights on the Gampola Zahira grounds were switched on signaling the start of the carnival which was expected to be a grand finale of the 25th year celebration of the College.
But, it was not to be. We were rudely shocked, when asked by the Police and the educational authorities to close school immediately as the JVP insurrection had erupted all over the country.
On the following day, we were informed that all schools would remain closed until further notice with only the teachers reporting at the school. This put us in a serious fix. What were we to do with the teachers when the students were not present? It was at this juncture a decision was taken after discussions with the agriculture teacher and other senior members of the staff that we should utilise this time to develop a model agriculture farm in a designated area of the school premises. This was a felt-need of the school at that time.
The staff, without exception participated in this laudable initiative by the teachers for the sake of the students. They did not mind soiling their hands and clothes preparing vegetable beds on which a variety of crops were grown. An experimental paddy field was also developed. A thriving livestock and poultry farm also emerged much to the delight of both teachers and parents.
When the students returned after their enforced holiday, they were surprised to find a model farm being developed by their own teachers to enable them to get involved in practical and applied agricultural studies doing experimentations in their own farm. But the farm was not complete and much work was still to be done. It was at this time that Ms. Riyal joined the staff of Gampola Zahira. She took great interest in the farm and spent her spare time, weekends and holidays to help it grow.
She along with the other teachers encouraged and motivated the students and as a result the farm became a thriving entity and helped in enhancing the image of Gampola Zahira.
Soon this farm was adjudged the best model farm among the Government schools in the Kandy district. Students were also encouraged to set up home-gardens using the knowledge and know-how they gained in the college farm.
I remember the day when Ms. Riyal proudly told me that she prepared food for her family using the produce bought from the college farm.
Teachers of the calibre of Kairun-Nisa Riyal make a change in the lives of children. They can with whatever meagre resources available to them and whatever circumstances they are in, contribute to the development of both values and skills to prepare themselves for a meaningful future.
Kairun-Nisa Riyal was an exemplary teacher any school would proudly have on its staff. Even more that ten years into her retirement, she, assisted by her daughter Fazana, was seen in the college premises supervising the improvement of infrastructural and learning facilities in the primary section initiated by her son Rizmi using his personal funds.
At the Gampola Zahira’s annual students get-togethers, some of which I have attended, I have never missed seeing Ms. Riyal, though feeble, always gracefully seated surrounded by her grateful past students.
It is my prayer that Gampola Zahirians will continue to be inspired by their teachers who contributed their share to make them what they are today. Gratitude, after all, is the hall-mark of Islam.
May Allah grant her Jennathul Firdouse!
Dr. Uvais Ahamed