An interview with Yunus Peer, which appeared in the South Coast Fever
on 8 August, 2001. – by Editor – Sean Hixon
Former Port Shesptone resident and the teacher responsible for the
recent Punahou Maths Project, Yunus Peer is filled with praise for the
standard of maths in South Africa as well as the efforts by the Department to
maintain a high standard. One of the most interesting revelations during his
recent exclusive interview with the South Coast Fever was that he believed the
average student in the United States would not be able to cope with the
standard of maths that South African matriculants are expected to
write. “The teachers from Hawaii were amazed at how it is all done,” he told
the Fever “and in the States, maths is broken down into different subjects,
with separate teachers for algebra, trigonometry, geometry and calculus. I
must also applaud the current administration for not reducing the standards
in maths,” he added “and instead have kept high standards and are trying
to find ways for students to achieve this.” While Yunus believes that
there are not enough qualified teachers in South Africa, he said that he was glad
to see that education is one of the highest priorities, which is a step in the
right direction.
Yunus was born in Port Shepstone and attended the Indian Primary School
and the Indian High School until 1970. “When I was 13, I was ranked the
number 2 tennis player among non-whites in the under 16 age group in South
Africa,” he revealed “and my father Cassim, desperately wanted to make it
possible for me to continue with my tennis career. Apartheid ended that
ambition,” he explained “because a number of white coaches refused to train me.
I was later sent to Waterford School in Swaziland,” he told the Fever “and my
classmates had surnames like Mandela, Tutu and Sisulu. It was as if
most South African exiles had children at the school,” he said “and then of
course there were the ordinary people like me.”
Yunus is however, far from ordinary – a scholar of life who admits that
his passion in life is teaching and public service, following in the footsteps
of his father, who was the chairman of the Port Shepstone Child Welfare
Society for many years. Yunus had his passport taken away from him by
the government in 1973 and was forced to return to South Africa. Although
he had been accepted into the University of Natal, was turned down by the
Minister of Interior, who retorted when questioned by his father – “Don’t you
‘koelies’ know your place!” Yunus refers to his two years at DurbanWestville
as ‘wasted’ and after having his passport conditionally returned, set off for India.
“In 1976 I arrived in New Jersey, USA, via Afghanistan,” he told the Fever and
after nine months of school there, transferred to the University of Hawaii in 1977.
By 1980 I had finished bachelor’s degrees in psychology and education as well
as a professional diploma in education.” In 1981, Yunus married Jameelah an
attorney in Kailua, Hawaii andworked at Maryknoll High School, a Catholic
missionary school, from 1980 through to 1985. “In 1985, my wife and t
wo-week old daughter and I moved to NewHampshire,” he said “and I joined
Proctor Academy in Andover, where I worked as a lecturer as well as a soccer
and tennis coach.” In 1994 Yunus earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration
from the University of NewHampshire.
The death of his father in 1997, prompted Yunus and his family to
return to Hawaii. “Shortly afterwards I received a call from Proctor Academy,
informing me that there was a possibility for a scholarship for an African student,
worth $45 000. I lobbied for a South African student and Proctor awarded the
first scholarship to a young black girl, Pumla Pamla from Little Flower High
School in Ixopo. She has since made the National Honours Society in
America,” added Yunus “and although she was offered entrance into the
Natal Medical School, is currently doing her second year Bachelor of Science
Degree in Indiana.” The Scholarship Program is in its fourth year and Yunus
continues to run the South African end of the programme for Proctor
Academy and if everything goes according to plan, is hoping to return to Port
Shepstone with Karl Methven, the Assistant Head of School next year, to
interview candidate students for the scholarship. The other three young
women in the programme come from Vereeniging (2) and Verulam. Proctor
Academy also delivered a shipment of computers to the TEDC in Port
Shepstone a few years ago and according to Yunus, the school appears to be
committed to building a stronger relationship with South Africa.
Currently a lecturer at Punahou School, Yunus told the Fever that the
recent Maths Project, sponsored by the school and the Cassim Peer Trust had
been a tremendous success. “I must however point out that the teachers from
Hawaii did their homework and were well informed about the syllabus having
studied several years exam papers. The idea was for the teachers to share
teaching techniques and methodology, with a focus on the South African matric
exam. I believe that the objectives of professional and personal development
were achieved and I suspect that the Hawaiian teachers probably got more out
of the whole experience. Teachers are responsible for the intellectual welfare
of our children,” pointed out Yunus “and if maths and science is so critical,
we need to invest in our teachers as they are the ones who will inspire our
children.” Yunus has a passion for teaching and admits that his real work is
raising his four children, Aliya who only being 16 years old is already in her
first year at University, Mikail 14, Nadia 10 and the youngest, Avishan who
is 8. “My true hobby is restoring pre-1967 VW Beetles,” he told the Fever
“and some of his work was featured in a recent USA book on VW’s. I still
play tennis and soccer,” he added with a smile “but it’s called the ‘Makule’
or ‘old man’s league’ held every Sunday.”
As for the future Yunus believes in taking one year at the time, and
referring once again, to his father who played a pivotal role in his
life quoted – “Great ideas remain great ideas if you don’t have a way to
make them happen.” So to be honest I have no grand vision for the future,”
he admitted “and will look to where I can make the most difference.” Yunus
also hoped that if similar projects were held in the future, that there would be
more interaction between the private schools and the public schools.
“What was missing at the workshop,” he pointed out “was more Indian and white
teachers.”
Yunus also, however praised the way in which he believed that
South Africa had dealt with the transition into a democracy. “How many
other countries in the world,” he questioned “can say that in the 7th year since
their move to democracy, have a functioning society? While South Africa still
has a long way to go,” he added “there is much hope and millions of people
in South Africa are working hard to build a stronger democracy.”