The education fraternity is mourning the death of former Sophia Primary School head Sharon Chapman, the latest in a series of recent deaths involving serving and retired educators.
The Ministry of Education announced Chapman’s death in a statement yesterday but did not disclose when she died or the cause of her death.
Chapman taught at Mabura Hill Primary, St Sidwell’s Primary and St Agnes Primary before continuing her career at Sophia Primary School.
She was appointed Graduate Senior Mistress at Sophia Primary in 2018 and assumed leadership of the school following the retirement of its headteacher in 2025. She served in that capacity until August of this year.
The ministry described Chapman as a firm and principled educator who placed emphasis on discipline, accountability and high standards among both pupils and teachers.
“Behind her firmness was a compassionate woman who cared deeply for those entrusted to her,” the ministry said, adding that her contribution to education and the lives she influenced would be remembered.
Chapman was also described as a devoted wife, mother of three and grandmother of two.
The ministry extended condolences to her relatives, friends and colleagues as well as the pupils and wider Sophia Primary School community.
Her death follows those of Richard Ishmael Secondary School headteacher Melanie Jones, St Joseph High School Agriculture Science Head of Department Susanna Sheorattan and that school’s immediate past principal Nathram Raghubansi.
Jones’ death was announced last month. Before serving at Richard Ishmael Secondary, she taught English Language at St Joseph High and later served as deputy headteacher. Tributes from the ministry, teachers, students and former colleagues remembered her years of service and leadership.
St Joseph High announced Sheorattan’s death on September 1, saying her passing was a “deep blow” to the school’s current staff.
Sheorattan joined the school in October 2018 as Graduate Head of the Agriculture Science Department. She had previously worked as an Assistant Mistress at Tutorial High School—now the Austin Castello Tutorial High School—from 2005 to 2018 and had taught at Vergenoegen Secondary between 2001 and 2002.
The school credited her work with helping the 2026 graduating Agriculture Science class secure a 100% pass rate at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.
It described Sheorattan as a dedicated educator who was passionate about her subject and committed to the success of her students.
Days earlier, the school had announced the passing of Raghubansi, who retired as its principal in 2022.
Raghubansi began teaching Mathematics and Geography at Abram Zuil Secondary School before being seconded to St Joseph High in 2000. During his 22 years there, he served as Mathematics Head of Department and deputy headteacher before being confirmed as principal in 2018.
The school said Raghubansi expanded its Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination programme and led its transition to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He was also closely involved in sports and other co-curricular activities and was remembered for combining firm discipline and accountability with a hands-on approach to leadership.
Raghubansi’s wife, Tulsidai Raghubansi, succeeded him as principal following his retirement.
The deaths in relatively quick succession have left several school communities mourning educators who held senior leadership and specialised teaching positions.
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