Gaetan Raynal State College, as presently known, has borne several names as a consequence of  changes regarding secondary education at ministry’s policy level. The school started as a Junior Technical School catering for a population of 200 boys and girls of 12-15 years.

 It was then converted to a mainstream  mixed secondary school  known as Belle Rose State Secondary School before being  transformed into a girls secondary school.  It was inaugurated as  Gaetan Raynal State Secondary school on 26 April 1985 in honour of Mr Lindsay Gaetan Raynal, former interim Head of School of Administration at the University of Mauritius who passed away on 26 April 1984.   
 Later, with new reforms at the secondary level by the Ministry of Education to convert most of the high demand schools into Form VI schools in 2002 our school became Gaetan Raynal Form VI college. As only form six students were  admitted with no intake at Form I level,  there was a gradual phasing out of other forms. In 2006, we had students only in forms V, Lower VI and Upper VI.

The status of our school changed to a National College in 2005 with the school bearing the name of Gaetan Raynal State College. As from 2006 up to now, students intake have  again been extended to girls of Form I according to their grading at CPE examinations  such that as from 2011, we have students in all the forms (I to VI). 

Mr Lindsay Gaetan Raynal was born on the 2nd of March 1940. After his primary education at the Central Boys Government School, at the end of which he won a scholarship, he continued his secondary studies at the Royal College of Port-Louis from 1952 to 1959. He embraced the teaching profession as a language teacher at the Bhujoharry College of Port Louis between 1960 and 1964 and then as a government education officer at John Kennedy College after obtaining B.A (Hons) in English and French from London University.

 

An ardent admirer of the French heroes: Danton and Robespierre, Gaetan Raynal was lured by the world of politics.  In 1966, he was elected along with Jules Koenig under the banners of the PMSD political party during the municipal poll of Port Louis. His unique gift of eloquence added up with that of an imposing personality gave his audience the impression that his intelligence knew no bounds. People would rush to the municipal hall to listen to him.  Mr L. Gaetan Raynal was not only a man of principles and a perfectionist but also humane as he was comprehensive and was greatly admired in his surroundings 

However, he took of his usual job as teacher at the John Kennedy College after leaving the municipality staff about three months later due to conflicting ideas and principles. He settled with his family at the Baron d’Unienville street at Beau Bassin. Later, he lectured at the University of Mauritius on regional administration.  After obtaining a scholarship of Birmingham University in Social Science in which he excelled, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1973 and later to Associate Professor.  

 

An expert in administration purposes, Gaetan Raynal would hold committees until midnight after being elected at the municipal council of Beau Bassin- Rose Hill.  He acquired great respect and admiration in his surroundings.  However, he resigned once again because of conflicting ideas.  In the meantime, he animated a radio program “Chroniques Eparses” and collaborated to some research work on the history of Mauritius about which he was passionate. 

On the 26th of April 1984, ‘Le LGR’ (as he was frequently called by the staff) , was terraced by a heart attack at the Campus of the University of Mauritius while he was preparing to go to the General Purpose Committee as interim Head of School of Administration and later died. But he left a rich legacy behind and is still remembered today as one of the great men Mauritius has created.

About Us