 A Man of Many Hats - And One Wig!
by Katy Gash
To his family he is the loving father who survived both brain and triple by-pass heart surgery. To thousands of students he is the principal who refused to give up on them. To the community of St. Michael's central district he is their caring and tireless political representative. And to his fellow members of Parliament he is their honoured Speaker of the House.
Though from humble beginnings, Ishmael Roett has risen to become a giant of a man in Barbados.
"I grew up in Jackson, St. Michael", the Speaker recounts, "and was the youngest of four boys born to a very poor working class family. My mother, Inez, was a domestic worker and my father was a labourer. Among my brothers, I was the only one to receive a secondary school education."
In fact, the Speaker attended Combermere school, one of Barbados' premier secondary institutions, and then went on to University where he earned his degree in English and Economics and a diploma in Education. "I have always wanted to teach," he says, "for I realized that my education was something that had helped me tremendously."
And teach he did. He taught Latin and Geography for 2 years at Combermere, and then went on to teach at various other schools, including a 19-year tutorship at Erdiston College. It was in 1971, however, that he and some friends founded The O'Level Institute and opened their classrooms to 60-odd students.
This was a school with a difference for it was established to help those who had already left school, but had done poorly in their examinations. "I felt that too many young people were leaving school without proper qualifications," he says, "and I am very pleased at how our students have taken advantage of their second chance." Today enrollment exceeds 600 students, and from behind beaming eyes the Speaker reveals that over 100 of these students have been awarded scholarships in order to attend. "The program has worked wonders and has been very successful," adds the Speaker, as he points out that the island's Commissioner of Police himself was a past student, as well as many others now in the teaching, nursing and civil service professions.
And as Speaker Of the House, Ishmael Roett has also been very successful. "The Speaker's job" he explains, "is to be in charge of Parliament" and to moderate as the Chairman in Parliamentary debates. "I am supposed to be fair and without bias" he adds, "and I enjoy being Speaker. Even though the debates get quite heated, the members of Parliament are always respectful towards the Chair, and are very cognizant of the rules."
Some have said that the traditional wearing of the wig and the gown are negative symbols of our past colonisation, but not so says the Speaker. "I still wear the gown and the wig in so much as it represents the Speakership and the authority of the - Speaker. To me, they are not worn to be a representation of the past."
And how can one man be so much to so many? "I get no greater satisfaction than when I can help others." he answers. "When I was in hospital there were so many nurses who attended to me that were students of the O' Level Institute." He then smiles and adds "that was a really pleasant experience for me."
Ishmael Roett has been awarded the Barbados Gold Crown of Merit for his immeasurable service to youth and education. Ands should you meet him, then know that you've met one of the finest son's of our island.
Article written in 2002 and compliments of "Ins and Outs of Barbados" Magazine
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