TRIBUTE TO MR. THEODORE VANRAGIN KEANE, C.B.E.

Mr. Theodore Vanragin Keane was born on the 15th April, 1918 in Kingstown, St.Vincent. In his more than thirty-five (35) years of service to the Government of this country in the field of Education, Mr. Keane excelled to the extent that he was awarded the Commander of the most distinguished Order of the British Empire.

Theodore Van Keane began his early education in 1924 and was educated at the Kingstown Anglican Primary and the Kingstown Methodist Schools. In 1946, he attended the Government Training College for Teachers in Trinidad, where he received a Teachers’ Certificate. In 1953, he attended the College of Preceptors in London, graduating with an Associate Diploma of the College of Preceptors. In 1957, he completed a two year programme of study at Redland College, Institute of Education in Bristol, United Kingdom. There he was awarded a Certificate in Education.{{more}}

Mr. Keane joined the Government Service on the 6th November, 1935 as a Monitor at the Kingstown Methodist School. He rose through the ranks from 3-Year Pupil Teacher to Certified Pupil Teacher from 1936 to 1937. In 1938, he was transferred to Union Island and appointed as Assistant Teacher. He also served at the Biabou Methodist School in a similar post.

In 1944, Mr. Keane was promoted to the post of Head Teacher at the Westwood Methodist School. He was transferred to the Chateaubelair Methodist School in 1947, also as Head Teacher. He spent one year as Supervising Teacher for schools in the Leeward District, and later returned to the post of Head Teacher, this time at the Kingstown Methodist School. He served there with distinction from 1949 to 1956, and was recognized as “an efficient teacher and capable organizer”.

In 1957, he was promoted to the post of Inspector of Schools. In this post he demonstrated ” … a deep devotion to duty, a keen sense of responsibility and good administrative and executive ability while maintaining very cordial relationships with both managers and teachers.” In 1963, he was rewarded with the post of Chief Education Officer, a post he served in for more than a decade before retiring from the Public Service at the end of 1973.

Throughout his career, this distinguished son of the soil made a sterling contribution to the field of Teacher Education, representing St. Vincent at many regional meetings, workshops and conferences. He also contributed significantly to on-going development programmes in Technical Education, Curriculum Development, Community Development and Co-operatives in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

His outstanding contribution in the field of Education in St. Vincent, in his roles of teacher and administrator, were recognized upon his retirement when he was commended as follows: No praise is too great for the efficiency, devotion to duty and loyalty to the Public Service which you have exhibited at all times, and there can be no doubt that your excellent service over the years has been of considerable advantage not only to the Public Service but to the State of St. Vincent.”

The Ministry of Education offers heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

May he rest in peace.