TMS, my TMS !
by Hénock Gugsa
/// ~~~ ///
I was only nine-years old when I began my serious schooling at TMS (Tafari Makonnen School) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The year was 1958, and I'd joined the 3rd grade, class "3-B" to be exact. The school’s director was Monsieur Prévost, and Monsieur Gagnon was the assistant director. At that time, TMS had in attendance both boarding (adarii, in Amharic አዳሪ) and day students (temelalash, in Amharic ተመላላሽ). The grades began at 3rd and ended at 12th. So, as a result, there were students as young as eight and nine years of age or as old as eighteen, nineteen, or older. And certainly, TMS was an institution unto itself, with a tradition and dignity all its own.
The school was founded by the late Emperor Haile Selassie in 1926 before he was coronated and while he was still Regent to the Crown. He was then known as Tafari Makonnen, and hence the school’s name. Back then, it is generally agreed, Tafari Makonnen was a progressive, and future-oriented leader who valued "education" and the youth of his country as vital national resources. He wisely elicited the assistance and support of foreign friends, in particular Canadians. And perhaps because the Emperor was a French speaker, the school began getting French Canadians as both instructors and administrators. To name a few of the long-time and well-remembered French Canadians at TMS, we had Messieurs Zipfel, Prévost, Richer, Plamondon, Gagnon, Laurendeau, Beaudry, Charpentier, Viens, Gagnier, Gareau, Payeur, and Turenne.
From my first day of school at TMS, I was simply overwhelmed and in awe of what was being offered there. There were wonderful buildings with clean classrooms, good furniture, and excellent teachers of all mix … Ethiopians, Indians, Canadians, Americans, etc. There were, at least, three soccer fields, two basketball courts, a volleyball court, and also a tennis court (although that one was strictly for faculty). I, of-course, was enthralled by the playground with swings, climbing poles, etc. To this day, I sure miss those swings!
As a freebie, our Canadian benefactors introduced us to an unheard-of sport: softball ! And they supplied all the gear and everything! I remember Mr. Laurendeau hitting home-runs. The ball would be irretrievably gone ... gone into the neighboring Israeli Embassy grounds! What fun!
Up until 1961, I believe, we used to have a TMS soccer team (Shewangizaw Agonafir, Kiros Lakew, and Tibebu Menkir were some of our star players). We, the students, used to stay after school and cheer our team during inter-school games. We were pretty good! On "TMS Day", the students' team would go up against the teachers' team. This grown-up group consisted of at least one or two Canadians and a consistently wonderful cast of Ethiopian teachers (Ato Zelleke, Ato Begashaw, and others whose names my fellow schoolmates are sure to remember!)
The classroom courses were Amharic, English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Social Sciences (History and Geography), and French (above ninth-grade). There were Current Events, and Debating clubs (remember Mesfin Habtu!). We even had a fine auditorium for audio-visual, and other presentations. And in the earlier years, we had a marching band with school colors, etc. for parades and such. And everyday in the morning, we used to sing the national anthem outside in front of the flag pole!
What else did the school offer? Oh yes ... there was carpentry, book-binding, carpet weaving, gardening, gymnastics (physical exercise and a free shower at the end), a small student-run bank, a mini radio station operated by students, and last but not least, boy-scouting!
In the eight years that I spent at TMS (1966 being the last year), I was one of the fortunate recipients of a very fine education, and wonderfully enriching influences. I still appreciate the good works of teacher Abebe (whose son, Minasse, was a schoolmate and a friend), and teachers : Kassahun, Bravinder, Rodrigue, Beaudry, Laurendeau, and Turenne. I also fondly remember Teacher Assafa ("the scientist")! It is a great testament to the school that any former student can cite the names of more than two teachers as good benefactors. If exceptions are to be made, they will surely be minimal.
In conclusion, what is the best tribute I can pay to my old school? I can state confidently that TMS had a supremely outstanding and unique feature, namely its democratic modus operandi. All students were equal in the eyes of the school. It did not matter if you came from a rich or a poor family, and your ethnicity or religion had absolutely no place or effect on your status as a student. The only thing that would distinguish you was your performance … your diligence in your studies, in sports, and other extra-curricular activities. We, the students, developed respect for our elders and for each other. To a large extent, I am sure that we have all turned out very well!
Thank you, TMS!
From my first day of school at TMS, I was simply overwhelmed and in awe of what was being offered there. There were wonderful buildings with clean classrooms, good furniture, and excellent teachers of all mix … Ethiopians, Indians, Canadians, Americans, etc. There were, at least, three soccer fields, two basketball courts, a volleyball court, and also a tennis court (although that one was strictly for faculty). I, of-course, was enthralled by the playground with swings, climbing poles, etc. To this day, I sure miss those swings!
As a freebie, our Canadian benefactors introduced us to an unheard-of sport: softball ! And they supplied all the gear and everything! I remember Mr. Laurendeau hitting home-runs. The ball would be irretrievably gone ... gone into the neighboring Israeli Embassy grounds! What fun!
Up until 1961, I believe, we used to have a TMS soccer team (Shewangizaw Agonafir, Kiros Lakew, and Tibebu Menkir were some of our star players). We, the students, used to stay after school and cheer our team during inter-school games. We were pretty good! On "TMS Day", the students' team would go up against the teachers' team. This grown-up group consisted of at least one or two Canadians and a consistently wonderful cast of Ethiopian teachers (Ato Zelleke, Ato Begashaw, and others whose names my fellow schoolmates are sure to remember!)
The classroom courses were Amharic, English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Social Sciences (History and Geography), and French (above ninth-grade). There were Current Events, and Debating clubs (remember Mesfin Habtu!). We even had a fine auditorium for audio-visual, and other presentations. And in the earlier years, we had a marching band with school colors, etc. for parades and such. And everyday in the morning, we used to sing the national anthem outside in front of the flag pole!
What else did the school offer? Oh yes ... there was carpentry, book-binding, carpet weaving, gardening, gymnastics (physical exercise and a free shower at the end), a small student-run bank, a mini radio station operated by students, and last but not least, boy-scouting!
In the eight years that I spent at TMS (1966 being the last year), I was one of the fortunate recipients of a very fine education, and wonderfully enriching influences. I still appreciate the good works of teacher Abebe (whose son, Minasse, was a schoolmate and a friend), and teachers : Kassahun, Bravinder, Rodrigue, Beaudry, Laurendeau, and Turenne. I also fondly remember Teacher Assafa ("the scientist")! It is a great testament to the school that any former student can cite the names of more than two teachers as good benefactors. If exceptions are to be made, they will surely be minimal.
In conclusion, what is the best tribute I can pay to my old school? I can state confidently that TMS had a supremely outstanding and unique feature, namely its democratic modus operandi. All students were equal in the eyes of the school. It did not matter if you came from a rich or a poor family, and your ethnicity or religion had absolutely no place or effect on your status as a student. The only thing that would distinguish you was your performance … your diligence in your studies, in sports, and other extra-curricular activities. We, the students, developed respect for our elders and for each other. To a large extent, I am sure that we have all turned out very well!
Thank you, TMS!
** TMS photos by Yafet Tekle **
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