why many people believe that the school's closure in 1972 left a void in the Island's eduction system that has never been filled.

When the Bermuda Technical Institute closed its doors for the last time in 1972, it left a void in Bermuda's educational system that has never been replaced.

For more than 15 years, the Technical Institute served the community well by providing skilled technicians in the motor vehicle trades, the design and construction industry, various engineering fields and the professions. Young men who attended that unique institution have gone on to become presidents of private firms, top civil servants, senior managers of banks, garages, Cable & Wireless, Belco and Telco; as well as entrepreneurs who operate their own businesses. Possibly no other school in the history of Bermuda has provided this community with a wealth of expertise that covers such a broad range of trades and professions.

An editorial in the September 14, 1963 edition of The Royal Gazette read: "Although its objectives were probably deliberately misunderstood by many people in the initial stages, there is no doubt now that the Technical Institute is a permanent and most valuable fixture in our educational system.

Quite clearly the higher calibre of student to be passed out by Technical Institute, the better are our chances of avoiding some of the frustrations that have hitherto marked preparation for entrance into the field of employment. To encourage our youth to seek and grasp these opportunities is more than a matter of schooling alone. Home and family environment play important parts in shaping the life of youth. This needs to be recognised in its fullest significance as we move sensibly toward upgrading education.'' Yet, less than nine years later, the Technical Institute was closed down for reasons that have never fully been understood or appreciated, depending on one's own personal point of view.

However, for the numerous Bermudian males who passed through the doors of that unique institution, the memories of Tech remain strong. Nothing can erase the tremendous sense of pride that marks the lives of these men and the feelings of love, respect and admiration which they all hold for the teachers who profoundly influenced their personal and professional lives. Such names as Dr.

Clifford Maxwell, Alfred Carey, George Henderson, Ken Clegg, Edward Crawford, Sid Rumbelow, Vivian Sweeting, Arnold Usher, Bertram Guishard and Mansfield Brock flow from the lips of these men effortlessly when they reminisce and discuss their experiences at the school.

For many, like Dennis Hart, who is now a service manager at Pearman Watlington's garage on St. John's Road, the roles which these teachers and instructors played were far beyond the impartation of book knowledge. They were like father-figures who nurtured their students, teaching them lessons of life.

For others, like Herman Basden, now the Director of Public Transportation, the teachers at Tech provided a sense of belonging, a feeling of self-worth, a belief that you could succeed against the odds and accomplish anything you set your mind to achieve.

As Marshall Minors, presently Principal Highways Engineer in the Ministry of Works and Engineering, recalls: "The teachers at Tech provided the ideal type of environment where you simply wanted to learn. They cared about us as individuals and this created a unique situations where the students just wanted to do well. Having male teachers, at that age, not to take anything away from female teachers who have always done an excellent job, to look up to and emulate was very important.'' And as former teacher Alfred Carey says: "We taught the students to think for themselves. Once you teach a boy how to think, he can go anywhere. What I would like to impress upon all teachers is this. `Don't just give a student information, show him how to apply that material to his life.' That has been one of my greatest rewards as a teacher, simply providing an opportunity for my students to think for themselves.'' History will no doubt record the Technical Institute experience as one of the most significant in the annals of education here in Bermuda; the turning out of young Bermudian males, who in the words of a popular contemporary saying "had it goin' on!'' How many young males "slipped through the cracks'' in the wake of the Tech'sclosure because of the education system's subsequent inability to meet the needs of those who were more technically, or vocationally, inclined may never fully be realised. But, for the numerous graduates of the school, Technical Institute continues to hold a special place in their hearts and most are convinced, even after all these years, that there is an absolute need for a school, similar in its educational philosophy to their beloved Technical Institute.

Here are a number of profiles of former Technical Institute students who share their views on why the educational experience at that institution continues to be so special to them.

Pictures: Fudge and John Weatherill.

Winston (Coe) Trott, front, and other metal work students learn welding at the Technical Institute during the 1960's.

SEPTEMBER 1993 RG MAGAZINE