In a touching gesture to her roots Dr. Sharmla Chetty, a proud Merebank Secondary School alumni, has returned to give back to the community that shaped her formative years.

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Driven by a deep sense of gratitude, Chetty has pledged a significant donation to enhancing the school’s mathematics and science education, fields she believes are critical to empowering learners with the skills needed to construct fulfilling and sustainable careers.

This generous act is part of her growing legacy of giving. Previously she sponsored full bursaries for eight female matriculants, affording the young women, some from underprivileged backgrounds, the chance to pursue engineering, science, business and humanities degrees.

Principal Kishan Bridgelal said, “Sharmla’s passion to enable young women is a true inspiration. It is not merely a donation, but an investment into the learners’ lives.”

Chetty’s commitment extended to the teachers as well. She introduced an incentive policy that subsidised Saturday class tuition for Grade 12 learners. The initiative gave learners the additional academic support they needed to excel and rewarded the teachers for the extra work they were putting in.

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Deputy principal Vimla Chetty was complimentary about Chetty’s vision.

“Sharmla wanted to go beyond donating money. Her vision was to give young women access to higher education,” said Vimla.

Sharmla said her focus is on improving the quality of teaching and learning materials in mathematics and science. “These subjects are gateways to numerous career choices, especially in our rapidly evolving world,” she said.

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Her aim is to equip learners with critical thinking skills and unlock doors to fields that can stimulate innovation and economic expansion.

“Returning to my former high school is deeply personal. It’s about honouring the community that played a pivotal role in my journey growing up. The teachers like Usha Juggernath who believed in me, inspired and motivated me; the classmates who shared similar challenges and dreams — all contributed to who I am today. Investing in the school is my way of giving back to the foundation that nurtured me, who cared for me, gave me hope and purpose,” said Sharmla

She added that her message to young women in Merebank is that their dreams are real and within reach.

“Despite challenges, with determination, support and resilience, they can reach great heights. Your potential is limitless, and you have the power to shape your futures and uplift communities,” she said.

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