HAD it been in existence today, Mausica Teachers’ Training College would have been celebrating its 60th anniversary on September 9.
The former government-run institution, which closed its doors in July 1979, is now home to the Military-Led Academic Training Programme, a two-year, full-time social intervention initiative, specifically designed to help at risk young men aged 16-20.
For Mausica’s alumni, though, the memories of their time at the institution and its impact on the country’s educational landscape can never be forgotten.
Over the years, the college’s past students, many of whom live abroad, have held reunions to commemorate various milestones in the life of the institution.
And throughout this week, beginning July 17, they’ve organised several events in tribute what would have been the institution’s diamond jubilee.
The theme of this year’s reunion is Beyond Friendship and activities will take place in both Trinidad and Tobago.
It starts with an opening ceremony at the Youth Training Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) Centre, Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas from 10 am.
On July 18, it’s off to Tobago for a photographic and video presentation, Nostalgic Walk Down Memory Lane at Kariwak Village, Crown Point. Kariwak will also be the venue for the Mausica Forum on Wednesday at 6 pm.
A highlight of the celebration will be a gala dinner on Saturday at the Radisson Hotel, Port of Spain.
Counselling psychologist Anna Maria Mora attended the college from 1968-1970 and is a member of the organising committee for this year’s event.
She has only fond memories of the institution. Mora recalled many of the first-year students were daunted by the experience.
[caption id="attachment_1025761" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mausica Teachers' College past students at a reunion. -[/caption]
“When we got there it was a little intimidating because most of us were taken into the college at 18, which would have been very strange for a lot of us who really had never left home and it was a residential institution, even though we were allowed to go to our homes on weekends. The first week was very difficult,” she told Sunday Newsday.
That intimidation, Mora said, dissipated as the school terms wore on.
She said the classes, tutored by local and foreign lecturers, were second to none. It was not uncommon for the lecturers to go way beyond the call of duty to ensure that their students understood the lessons outside of the regular classroom hours.
“We spent nights on the floors in their living room preparing notes of lessons, posters and visual aids to help our students to understand mathematical concepts to make our teaching practice effective and enjoyable for the children.”
Mora added the lecturers did their best to ensure that the learning experiences stayed with them throughout the teaching careers.
She said, “Our graduates brought a sense of professionalism to the teaching profession in Trinidad and Tobago. Even after Mausica closed its doors, teacher-training at Valsayn Teachers’ College co
