Up Close … with Cyril Pillay, headteacher of Plaisance primary school-‘Leadership is my passion’ |20 March 2012
Many of us come across people who make us feel a part of something grand, motivating us to do better and to feel happy about even the little things we have achieved. This is exactly how I and many others, who have had the good fortune of working with the energetic Cyril Pillay, current head teacher of Plaisance primary, will describe him.
“I believe in encouraging people and celebrating their achievements. When someone has done well, we should let that person know, likewise we should guide that person when he or she has done wrong,” he said.
Cyril, the middle child of a family of five, said his greatest source of inspiration in life is his mum, who passed away when he was only four.
He described himself as a workaholic and a firm believer of good leadership.
“Leadership is my passion,” he said smiling.
School days
Cyril spent his school days at Glacis primary -- from crèche until primary nine. Back then, teaching was not part of his dreams as his mind was set on becoming a lawyer.
After completing his studies at Glacis, he attended the National Youth Service (NYS), spent one year at Ste Anne and the second year at Cap Ternay.
“I can say that since primary six I performed well academically especially in languages, but as time went by, when following my studies at NYS, I decided to choose the sciences,” he said.
Though he opted for the sciences, Cyril said it was not a good choice as he realised later on that he should have chosen languages.
“I then chose to join business studies but then again it was not a good choice as after one year I realised that I did not want to become an accountant.”
“I remember once when I was giving a presentation on commerce, my Scottish teacher told me that I was in the wrong course and that I could become a teacher,” he said.
He was then encouraged to join the teaching profession. He followed a three-year teaching course and then became a qualified teacher.
“We did semi-specialisation at that time and I specialised in English, French and social studies,” he said.
Cyril spent most of his practicum at Mont Fleuri primary and remembers teachers like Mrs Wilhemin Ernesta, whom he said was a great inspiration to him.
After his practicum, he was posted at Beau Vallon primary for his probation for a year, after which he graduated.
He spent another year at that school and then moved to Bel Ombre school where he taught French at secondary level. At that time, Bel Ombre catered for both primary and secondary one and two students.
Praslin was Cyril’s next stop
“It was on Praslin that I started to think of my professional development and I was determined to enrol for evening classes.”
“I did my A' levels in French and English, and got a distinction for the French oral exam. For my excellent performance in the French exam, I owe it to Miss Zita Bella.”
Cyril decided to move back to Mahe, settling at the Mont Fleuri secondary school where he taught English.
“I remember one day Savinia Morel from the Ministry of Education told me that there was a vacancy at La Rosiere primary for the post of studies coordinator, and so I applied.”
And so the next stop for the ever determined Cyril was La Rosière primary school.
“It was very tough at La Rosière especially during the first year as I lacked leadership skills,” he remembered.
Becoming a leader
After surmounting the challenges at La Rosière, the young studies coordinator started feeling motivated to move a step further.
“When Marie-France Mouna asked me to take the post of acting head teacher, I knew this was going to be a challenge but at the same time give me a chance to understand what leadership truly is.”
Success kept creeping under the door for Cyril as he was promoted the head teacher of Cascade primary.
Among the achievements at Cascade was being ranked among the best schools in different aspects such as academic, being an eco-school, and parental involvement.
Cyril was among the first head teachers to initiate the bullying-free school.
Another opportunity to climb higher on the ladder of success was when he was accepted to study for a Masters in educational leadership.
In 2007, Cyril was given a greater challenge – leading Plaisance primary.
A great believer of mixed ability teaching, Cyril said the school has recorded great results both academically and in extra-curricular activities.
Leading the main school, Les Mamelles and Plaisance crèches, Cyril said the main challenges are to sustain the results, develop strategies to adapt teaching to meet the needs of all and to keep involving parents in their children's learning.
Away from school life
Away from the school life, Cyril enjoys watching football and John Grisham's books are among his favourites.
He enjoys the music of artists such as Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd and Tracy Chapman.
Curry is among his preferred dishes – something which he believes he inherited from his grandfather's native land, India.
The father of two, Cyril is married to Erina Pillay, the deputy head teacher at Mont Fleuri secondary.
The Pisces man, who celebrated his birthday earlier this month, said he can now control his sensitive side.
“I have learned to accept criticism and I believe that participative leadership and decision-making is important.”
“I also believe that what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.”
“Honesty and loyalty are great values which I believe in,” he added.
Commenting on this year’s national theme – Striving for our Seychelles – Cyril said it is time that each Seychellois gives their maximum for the country to prosper.
“I like this year’s national theme; it should be written in stone because I believe it is a source of motivation,” he said.
As my interview with Cyril ended, I realised that Cyril is indeed “a leader who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”.
By Mandy Bertin