Dr. Anna Mahase is a Trinidadian educator and administrator. She was principal of the St. Augustine Girls' High School in

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...

. She currently is the commissioner of teaching of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. She is noted for her service to education as well as to other public and charitable organisations.

Early life and education

Mahase was born in the village of Guaico, Trinidad, to Kenneth Mahase and Anna Mahase (Sr.). Her mother was the first Indian woman to become a teacher in 1918. Her father was headmaster and her mother a senior teacher at several Canadian Mission (CM) schools. Both played a role in developing early education in rural North East Trinidad. Mahase attended the Guaico CM School (Guaico

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

Primary School), followed by

Naparima Girls' High School Naparima Girls' High School is an all-girls high school in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. The school was founded in 1912 by Rev Dr. Fulton Coffin to complement the education offered to boys by Naparima College. It is located on La Pique Hi ...

San Fernando San Fernando may refer to: People *Ferdinand III of Castile (c. 1200–1252), called ''San Fernando'' (Spanish) or ''Saint Ferdinand'', King of Castile, León, and Galicia Places Argentina *San Fernando de la Buena Vista, city of Greater Buenos ...

. Afterwards, she studied at Mount Allison University in

New Brunswick New Brunswick (french: Nouveau-Brunswick, , locally ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is the only province with both English and ...

, Canada, graduating with a BSc and BEd. She subsequently received an honorary degree of

Doctor of Laws A Doctor of Law is a degree in law. The application of the term varies from country to country and includes degrees such as the Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D. or S.J.D), Juris Doctor (J.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Legum Doctor ...

from Mount Allison University and another from the University of the West Indies.

Career

After her studies, Mahase returned to Trinidad and Tobago and after was appointed headteacher of St. Augustine Girls' High School. She was the first local woman to hold this post. Her achievements and ideas became the standard for many other secondary schools. During her long service, Mahase received many awards and honours. National awards: *Medal of Merit (Gold) (1976) *

Chaconia Medal The Chaconia Medal is the second highest state decoration of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Established in 1969, the medal honours long and meritorious service to promote national welfare or community spirit. It is awarded in three classes: ...

(Gold) (1990) *To Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago - selected in top 50 persons to receive in excellence in education and distinguished public service (2012) Notable service: * Member of the

Caribbean Examinations Council The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is an examination board in the Caribbean. It was established in 1972 under agreement by the participating governments in the Caribbean Community to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate an ...

* Task Force for Removal of the Common Entrance Examination * Member of the Council of University of the West Indies * President of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society * Chairman of

Trinidad and Tobago Television TTT Limited, is a state owned national television broadcaster in Trinidad and Tobago with its headquarters located at 11 A Maraval Road, Port of Spain. The company formerly operated two stations; TTT channels 2 & 13 from 1962 to 2005, and Al ...

, NBS * Head Assessor Guardian Neediest Cases Fund * Chairman, National Commission on Accreditation * Government senator (temporary) during the 6th Republican Parliament (2001) * Commissioner of Teaching Service Commission * Chairman of the Red Cross Carnival Committee

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahase, Anna Year of birth missing (living people) Heads of schools in Trinidad and Tobago Living people Mount Allison University alumni People educated at Naparima Girls' High School People from Sangre Grande region Recipients of the Chaconia Medal Trinidad and Tobago women Women civil servants