“Without Naparima College, the country could not have been the same. We have infiltrated every avenue of occupational service in this country with distinction” – Dr Allan McKenzie
By Sue-Ann Wayow
HAVING spent decades at Naparima College in San Fernando, former principal Dr Allan McKenzie now has a section of the school named after him.
On Saturday, the school’s science block was renamed the Dr Allan I McKenzie Science Building and a plaque unveiled in his honour during a ceremony at the college.
Present were Dr McKenzie himself, Rev Joy Abdul-Mohan, past pupils and teachers. Reading from the plaque Abdul-Mohan said Dr McKenzie was principal from 1966 to 1993.
He spent 41 years altogether at the school, first as a pupil, then a teacher and dean and finally principal.
The former principal said it was a “very significant honour” to be awarded by the school in that manner.
The 89-year-old Dr McKenzie said, “My life is indissolubly connected to this school and I have ties, emotional and affinitive, to this school and this particular award has a sentimental and even spiritual significance in my life much more than any other award. I got a President’s Award for Public Service in Education, it doesn’t mean the same thing as this. A simple little plaque means much more than that.”
He said he spent seven years as a student of Naps, seven years as a teacher and dean of students and 27 years as principal. Therefore, Dr McKenzie noted that his particular award is very sentimental and spiritual much more than any he has received in his life.
He added jocularly, “It’s a good thing I live long so I could see the award.”
Speaking highly of Naparima College, Dr McKenzie said, “Without Naparima College, the country could not have been the same. We have infiltrated every avenue of occupational service in this country with distinction.”
To the present staff he advised, “Don’t knock the students, don’t complain. They are a blessing to you, that’s your job and thank God for them. So, the first thing you have to do is love students.”
In March, UWI-Roytec named the Roytec library renamed after him. He had spent 28 years at that institution after retiring from Naparima College.
