The principal of Rose Heights Primary School in Arena Park, Dr Rishichand Sookai Budhal, is feeling on top of the world after returning home victorious from the National Teacher’s Awards, having rubbed shoulders with the number one citizen of South Africa.
The Department of Basic Education awards, which were recently held at Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, recognised outstanding educators for their dedication to the teaching fraternity as well as for going above and beyond the call of duty. Dr Budhal, who represented KwaZulu-Natal in the category of Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to Education, said the experience was a very rewarding one as the ceremony was also attended by the State President, Cyril Ramaphosa, and the DBE Minister, Angie Motshekga.
“I was really honoured to have been awarded the trophy and the entire night was a really a humbling experience.”
With approximately 40 years of service with the KZN DoE, Dr Budhal has spent 25 of which as a school principal. He also served as principal of Cliffdale Primary School. Following in the footsteps of his late father who was an educator, coupled with his passion for the advancement of society through education, influenced him to choose teaching as a career.
He said: “As a dedicated principal, I have spent much of my spare time during weekends and holidays carrying out infrastructure maintenance and improvements at the school. Through my skills as a builder, I supervised the construction of two additional classrooms, a specialised data capturing room and a junior primary ablution block. I have also ensured that our school honours its social responsibility role by engaging in community outreach programmes. Over the years, our school has made large donations to the Chatsworth Hospice, Cheshire Homes, Association for the Disabled, Blind Society and ECR Toy Story.”
Being a people-orientated person, Dr Budhal said he enjoys working with learners, educators and the community. “My philosophy of life was largely influenced by two great legends, namely, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. My motto is: ‘A winner is a dreamer who never gives up’ and I hope that through receiving this huge honour, my learners will adopt this mindset as well,” he said.
With a string of qualifications including three master’s degrees, a doctorate, three post-graduate degrees at a bachelor’s level, four post-graduate diplomas and numerous certificates, Dr Budhal is also a registered psychologist with the HPCSA as well as a Neuro-Biofeedback therapist and author.
“The knowledge that I have gained from my various empirical research studies served as a catalyst to empower me as an effective school principal and educational psychologist. As a university student, I saw the need to serve the underprivileged without expecting recognition and rewards. Up to the present day, I am involved in learner welfare and social responsibility outreach programmes,” he said.
Using his skills as a cook, Dr Budhal often cooks large quantities of meals with the assistance of his learners for distribution to the indigent. According to him, such programmes help inculcate in learners the Batho Pele principles and serve as a pragmatic means to develop good human values.
Dr Budhal expressed his gratitude towards his well-wishers and support base. “I am grateful for the ongoing support from my dedicated staff and members of the school governing body and also to my family, my wife and three children, for their years of support during my long walk in the field of education. At the age of 62, I have set my sights on retiring next year. I feel content that I have served my profession with dedication and passion and have made an indelible mark in the lives of many learners, educators and the community members with whom I have worked,” he said.
Dr Budhal encouraged all other educators and principals to enter these prestigious competitions as well.
