Originally published on the official St. Stanislaus College Facebook page on October 26, 2026, by the Journalism Club as Feature Three of its 160th Anniversary Interview Series. View the original post.
By Jianna Hopkinson | Student Writer
Nearly fifty years after first entering St. Stanislaus College, Dr. David Singh found himself sitting at a First Form orientation, surrounded by a new generation of Saints. The students were different, the institution had undergone decades of change, and Guyana itself had transformed considerably. Yet, as he sat listening, something felt remarkably familiar.
He recognised the same sense of belonging and school spirit that had greeted him as a student in 1976.
For Dr. Singh, now Chairman of the College's Board of Governors, the experience brought into focus something he believes has endured through generations: the character of Saints and the values that continue to unite its students and staff.
As St. Stanislaus College commemorates 160 years of education, his reflections offer a perspective shaped by both personal experience and professional leadership. From his schooldays to a distinguished career in environmental conservation and his present responsibilities as Chairman, Dr. Singh's journey reflects the lasting influence of education and his belief in preparing young people for a future filled with possibilities.
Dr. Singh entered St. Stanislaus College in 1976, ten years after Guyana gained independence. The country was undergoing significant social and educational changes, and Saints was itself adjusting to a new chapter in its history, having recently become co-educational and transitioned to government management.
Coming from a relatively small primary school, he encountered a much larger and more diverse student population.
He remembered the College as a melting pot of individuals from different backgrounds and age groups, an environment that introduced him to new perspectives and experiences.
Among his most cherished memories was the camaraderie he experienced with his fellow students.
Although he performed well academically, Dr. Singh readily acknowledged that he was far less accomplished on the sporting field.
“I enjoyed playing ball games but I was terrible at it,” he recalled.
Despite his limited sporting ability, his classmates never made him feel excluded. Instead, they encouraged him to participate and welcomed him as part of the team.
For Dr. Singh, the enjoyment came not from winning or demonstrating exceptional skill, but from the simple experience of playing alongside others.
That sense of togetherness left a lasting impression. It taught him that belonging to a community was not dependent on being the most talented or accomplished person in the group.
At Saints, he discovered that education was about more than examinations and academic achievement. It was also about relationships, shared experiences and learning to value the contributions of others.
When reflecting on the individuals who influenced his development, Dr. Singh identified two teachers whose lessons remained with him long after leaving the classroom.
The first was Father Fred Rigby, a Jesuit priest who served as his First Form teacher and taught him French.
Dr. Singh was particularly struck by Father Rigby's decision to travel from the United Kingdom to Guyana to serve as a teacher and priest.
He admired the sense of purpose behind that decision. Father Rigby's commitment extended beyond helping students succeed academically; he sought to develop young people who possessed sound moral values and understood their responsibilities as citizens.
Another influential figure was Alfred Bhulai, his Third Form Chemistry teacher.
Through his teaching, Bhulai encouraged students to apply logic and the scientific method to the problems they encountered.
For Dr. Singh, this approach became more than a technique for understanding scientific concepts. It helped develop an analytical and ethical way of thinking that would influence his personal decisions and professional responsibilities.
Together with the guidance of his family, these teachers played an important role in shaping his outlook on life.
One principle that remained especially meaningful was the College's motto, Aeterna Non Caduca, which he associated with the importance of pursuing things of lasting value.
“The extent to which what I do is not for the things that pass, but for the things that stay,” he explained.
For Dr. Singh, the message extended to his relationships, responsibilities and the contributions he hoped to make throughout his life.
After leaving Saints, Dr. Singh pursued higher education, undertaking studies in Applied Chemistry at the University of Guyana in 1984.
He later attended Temple University in the United States, where he pursued doctoral studies in Chemistry between 1988 and 1992.
At the beginning of his professional journey, Dr. Singh envisioned a future in academia. He hoped to develop a career in higher education and even aspired to become a university Vice-Chancellor.
Following the completion of his doctorate, he returned to Guyana and served as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Guyana from 1994 to 1997.
During this period, he encountered another important mentor, Father Malcolm Rodrigues, a Jesuit priest who headed the University's Physics Department.
Father Rodrigues was involved in establishing an environmental studies unit, which would eventually develop into the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Dr. Singh assisted with the initiative, gaining experience that would help redirect his professional interests towards environmental management and conservation.
His career subsequently expanded beyond university teaching.
From 2001 to 2003, he served as Director of the Environmental Management Division at Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency, where he contributed to the development of the country's environmental management capacity.
He later joined the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, eventually assuming leadership of the organisation.
In 2008, he was invited to join Conservation International, where he served as Vice President until 2018.
His professional journey also included service with WWF Guianas as Director for Guyana and Suriname.
As of 2026, Dr. Singh continues to work in environmental and conservation consultancy.
Although his career developed in directions he had not originally anticipated, the principles of scientific reasoning, ethical responsibility and service remained important throughout his professional life.
These were values he had encountered during his years at Saints, and they would eventually influence another significant undertaking: helping guide the future of his alma mater.
Despite the demands of his professional career, Dr. Singh maintained a connection with St. Stanislaus College.
His involvement included volunteer service and participation in the alumni community, reflecting a continued interest in the institution's development.
That relationship eventually led to an invitation from Dr. Christopher Fernandes, who was involved in establishing the College's Board of Governors.
Dr. Fernandes encouraged him to become a member of the Board, although Dr. Singh admitted that he was initially hesitant.
He recognised the substantial responsibilities associated with the position and was conscious of the high standards of leadership established by Dr. Fernandes.
Nevertheless, he accepted the opportunity to contribute.
Today, as Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dr. Singh regards the Board as an important partner in supporting the College's administration and educational mission.
He explained that the concept drew inspiration from a governance structure associated with President's College, where a board served as a link between the institution and the Ministry of Education.
At St. Stanislaus College, the Board provides oversight, supports the administration and assists the Ministry in advancing the school's broader objectives beyond the direct delivery of the curriculum.
For Dr. Singh, this responsibility has become increasingly significant as Guyana experiences rapid economic and social transformation.
He believes the opportunities and challenges confronting today's students are considerably different from those faced by previous generations.
The Board, therefore, has an important role in helping the school respond to these changes, particularly by supporting administrators and teachers in providing students with the guidance and attention they need.
When discussing the achievements of the Board of Governors, Dr. Singh was careful to acknowledge that progress results from collective effort.
“I don't believe that it's a one-man show,” he stated. “In many respects, we've all done it.”
He credited the contributions of fellow Board members, the administration and the wider school community for the improvements made in recent years.
Among the developments of which he is particularly proud are the substantial improvements to the College's infrastructure.
The construction of two new buildings has expanded the facilities available for teaching and learning, representing a significant investment in the educational environment.
Another major initiative being pursued is the development of a new sports ground, intended to serve both students and the wider community.
Yet, while physical development remains important, Dr. Singh believes that one of the College's greatest opportunities for improvement lies within the classroom itself.
He reflected on how relationships within society have changed over the decades.
Parents increasingly balance demanding employment responsibilities, family structures and expectations have evolved, and some students must also manage responsibilities beyond their studies.
These changes have affected the relationships between parents and children, teachers and families, and schools and policymakers.
However, Dr. Singh identified one essential feature of education that has remained largely unchanged: the moment a student enters a classroom and interacts with a teacher.
For him, that relationship is central to the educational experience.
He believes that greater attention should be directed towards strengthening this interaction, ensuring that teachers receive the support they need and students benefit from an environment that encourages learning and personal development.
Rather than focusing exclusively on buildings, resources or examination results, Dr. Singh wants the College to consider how the everyday experiences of students and teachers can be improved.
He sees this relationship as a crucial factor in helping Saints distinguish itself within Guyana's educational landscape.
Dr. Singh also recognises that leading an institution requires navigating different opinions and expectations.
As society changes, he believes that decision-making can no longer be viewed as a simple process in which instructions move in one direction.
Instead, effective leadership requires broader participation and a willingness to consider the perspectives of those affected by decisions.
“How do we ensure that the diversity of views are heard and respected?” he asked.
It is a question he considers particularly important in his role as Chairman.
While reaching agreement among individuals with different experiences and priorities is not always easy, he believes that respectful engagement is essential to the College's continued development.
His approach reflects a broader understanding of leadership, one in which listening, cooperation and shared responsibility are as important as the decisions ultimately made.
For Dr. Singh, the College's 160th anniversary is not simply an occasion to celebrate its longevity.
It is an opportunity to reflect on where the institution began, how it has changed and what it must become.
He referred to the familiar warning that those who forget the past risk repeating its mistakes, emphasising the importance of understanding history when making decisions about the future.
St. Stanislaus College was originally established to educate boys from Guyana's Portuguese community, reflecting the social and educational circumstances of its founding period.
Over time, its role expanded as the institution adapted to the changing needs of Guyanese society.
Dr. Singh reflected particularly on the leadership of Father Kenneth Khan, a Jesuit priest whose tenure as Headmaster coincided with significant developments in the College's history.
These included the introduction of co-education in 1975 and the transition to government management in 1976.
Father Khan advocated an educational approach that combined traditional academic subjects with broader practical and vocational opportunities.
Under his leadership, industrial and agricultural programmes were introduced, allowing students to develop skills that could contribute to their personal advancement and the wider society.
Subjects and activities such as woodwork, metalwork, industrial arts and agricultural education reflected an understanding that schools should prepare young people for different forms of contribution.
For Dr. Singh, this willingness to adapt is an important part of the College's history.
He believes that Saints must continue evolving while maintaining the values that have shaped generations of students.
Honesty, integrity and respect remain central to that identity, particularly in a society where young people may encounter pressures that challenge those principles.
He is also a strong supporter of debate and the creative arts.
In his view, these activities deserve greater emphasis because they encourage students to think independently, communicate effectively, consider different perspectives and develop the confidence to contribute meaningfully to society.
For Dr. Singh, preserving tradition does not mean resisting change. It means understanding which values should endure while remaining willing to develop new opportunities for students.
Dr. Singh also reflected on the important role that former students and alumni have played in the College's development.
He recalled a period during the 1990s when the school's infrastructure faced serious deterioration caused by termite damage.
In response, alumni came together to provide financial assistance and practical support, helping the institution address its difficulties.
For Dr. Singh, that experience demonstrated the difference that collective commitment could make.
It also highlighted the importance of maintaining relationships between the College and those who had benefited from its education.
However, he recognises that the needs of Saints today are not identical to those of previous decades.
The challenges, opportunities and expectations facing students and educators continue to evolve, requiring different forms of assistance.
He believes that current students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community must also recognise their responsibility to contribute to the institution's continued progress.
The legacy of Saints, in his view, cannot depend solely on the efforts of earlier generations.
Its future will also be shaped by the willingness of those connected to the College today to participate in its development.
One of the most striking ideas Dr. Singh shared during the interview was an analogy involving fleas confined within a jar.
In the illustration, fleas repeatedly attempt to jump beyond the limits imposed by a lid. Over time, they become conditioned to remain below that barrier, even after it has been removed.
Dr. Singh used the analogy to explain his perspective on Guyana's present opportunities.
He believes that the country has entered a period in which many longstanding limitations are being removed, creating possibilities that earlier generations may not have imagined.
Yet, opportunities alone are insufficient if individuals continue to think and behave as though those limitations remain.
For him, the challenge is to recognise what has changed and develop the confidence to pursue new possibilities.
This thinking also shapes his vision for St. Stanislaus College.
He wants the institution to help students recognise their abilities, challenge assumptions about what they can achieve and develop the independence needed to make informed decisions.
The Board of Governors, he believes, has a role in helping the College reach beyond its previous limitations.
Central to that ambition is strengthening the transition between secondary education and adult life.
Dr. Singh envisions Saints becoming a more effective bridge between formal schooling and the opportunities awaiting students at university, in the workplace and within their communities.
He indicated that the Board is considering how the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) programme can better support this transition.
His vision is not limited to preparing students for examinations or academic advancement.
He wants them to develop the confidence, practical understanding and independence of thought necessary to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Nearly fifty years after beginning his education at St. Stanislaus College, Dr. David Singh continues to draw upon the experiences that shaped him as a student.
The encouragement of classmates who welcomed him onto the playing field, the guidance of teachers who valued character alongside academic achievement and the principles represented by the College's motto have remained meaningful throughout his life.
His professional journey has taken him through academia, environmental management and international conservation, while his present role as Chairman of the Board of Governors has brought him back into the development of the institution that helped shape his early years.
As Saints commemorates its 160th anniversary, Dr. Singh believes the occasion provides an opportunity for the school community to consider its past, understand its present and determine the direction of its future.
For current students, his message is both practical and encouraging.
They should remain honest and respectful, but they should also resist allowing circumstances or the expectations of others to determine what they are capable of achieving.
Above all, he encourages them to develop minds of their own.
It is a message that connects his experiences as a student with his aspirations as Chairman.
The boy who once found acceptance among classmates despite his limited sporting ability now hopes to help create an environment in which every student receives the encouragement and support needed to discover their potential.
For Dr. Singh, the spirit of Saints is not simply something to be remembered. It is something to be carried forward, strengthened and reflected in the opportunities created for those who follow.
