Tribute to Norma Keizer née Ince

Fri Feb 22, 2013

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

The Ministry of Education and the teaching fraternity mourn the loss of Mrs Norma Keizer née Ince, a stalwart and icon in the field of Education.{{more}}

Mrs Norma Keizer was born in Kingstown on May 10, 1934 to Agatha Seaton and George Ince of Georgetown. She was a distinguished citizen who achieved accolades in her academic career. In January 1948, Norma won the single Kingstown Town Board Scholarship to attend the Girls’ High School, where she excelled as a student and prefect. Then, in 1951, she earned the distinction of being one of two girls to be awarded a 1st Division School Certificate.

Later, in 1953, when she wrote the Higher School Certificate Exam, she became the first young lady in St Vincent and the Grenadines to gain exemption from Inter-Arts, allowing her to immediately commence a Bachelor of Arts Degree as an external student with the University of London.

Our records indicate that Norma Keizer began her teaching career in 1954 at two institutions, namely the Georgetown Government School and the Georgetown Teachers’ Training Centre. Four days of each week were spent at the Teachers’ Training Centre, teaching supernumerary, second and third grade teachers, while the fifth day was spent at the Georgetown Government School, teaching Standard Six. In November of that same year, she was transferred to the Girls’ High School. She proceeded to the University of the West Indies (Mona) to read for a Bachelor of Arts Degree (General) in 1957.

On her return to St Vincent from the University of the West Indies in 1960, Norma resumed her teaching duties at the Girls’ High school as a Graduate Teacher.

Mrs Keizer taught at varying levels at the school system, including students in the sixth form, teaching various subjects including English, French, Math, Latin, History and Geography. Not satisfied to stay at the level of a Bachelor’s Degree, she proceeded to the Institute of Education, University of London in 1964, after being awarded a Commonwealth Bursary. In 1982 she read for a Diploma in Educational Administration and Management at the International Training Institute, Sydney, Australia.

Mrs Keizer was appointed Deputy Headmistress of the Girls’ High School in 1972 and then Headmistress in 1975. It was during her sojourn as Headmistress that her lasting legacy was firmly established.

With the willing and able support of the P.T.A. Mrs Keizer was able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to finance projects to address the needs of the school, so as to produce better students. These include the building of the Learning Resource Centre, Library and Science Laboratories in the mid 1980s and the introduction of the Steel Pan Music at the school.

As an educator and as Headmistress of the Girls’ High School, Mrs. Keizer was deeply committed to educational ideals and the development of the students in her care. Throughout the 36 years of her teaching career, she developed a broad range of experiences as a result of the schools and areas in which she so ably served.

Her many students, throughout her illustrious career, have much to be grateful for, specifically with respect to the quality of her leadership, instruction and the depth of her motherly care, her sincere manner and her personal touch, especially with regard to “her girls”.

Throughout her professional life, Mrs Keizer made an unparalleled contribution to the continuing debate surrounding the education and life chances of her students.

The Ministry of Education is convinced that she went beyond the call of duty to make her students acutely aware of every possible opportunity for advancement and further studies. Her students, her colleagues, as well as other educators, owe a great debt to her for her encouragement and support.

Mrs Keizer will be remembered as an inspirational educator who was completely dedicated to the cause of high educational standards, moulding the lives of over 3,000 young ladies. She was one who believed that teaching was the most important job in society; she inspired her students and teachers with whom she worked with her enthusiasm, her dedication and her committment to work.

Except for her short stint at the Georgetown Government School and Georgetown Teachers’ Training Centre her teaching career was spent at her alma mater, the Girls’ High School, which spanned 36 years.

Having given yeomen service to education, Mrs Keizer retired from the teaching service in 1990. She was indeed an asset to the education system, especially to the Girls’ High School, where she was regarded as a teacher and headmistress who instilled a great sense of determination to succeed in both her students and teachers.

Her integrity, generosity, optimism and professionalism shone through all her work and inspired many at home and in the diaspora. The enduring contribution of Mrs Norma Keizer in the field of education will long be remembered by those whose lives she touched.

Throughout her life’s work, Mrs Keizer has left footprints which are worthy of emulation.

On behalf of the educators throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines and those abroad, the Ministry of Education takes this opportunity to convey profound condolences to the children, relatives, students and teachers (past and present of the Girls’ High School) of an education icon, Norma Keizer.

We are confident that her memory would be cherished by all.

May Almighty God grant her eternal rest.