When they brought people from other territories and they played their anthems, you began to feel that [your anthem] is worthwhile.” - Sir Leton Thomas.
Praised for his composition of the music to the island’s national anthem, Sir Leton Thomas was also an educator and public servant.
In 2004, Sir Thomas drew a correlation between national development and the education of a people. Caught between his two loves, music and education in the mid-20th Century, he said he chose to further his education to develop the educational landscape in Saint Lucia.
“I have these two loves - music and education. I thought at the time Saint Lucia didn’t seem ready for somebody who would come back with a degree in music. I thought perhaps I should pursue my education because I had got further along the road in that area and kept music as an abiding interest,” he had said.
By 2004, Sir Thomas said Saint Lucia had come a long way in terms of education reform. By 2006, Saint Lucia was on track to attain Universal Secondary Education - a promise made by the day’s government led by Dr Kenny D. Anthony.
“There has been a major development with regard to school, with regard to the training of teachers and with regard to the curricula. There has been progress. We can’t go very far in terms of national development without education,” Sir Thomas explained.
By the end of Dr Anthony’s first term in 2001, four new secondary schools were built at Piaye, Anse Ger, Soufriere and Babonneau, adding over 2,000 student placements to dent the 5,000 students sitting the Common Entrance Examinations per year. The year 2004 also saw the commencement of TVET with the completion of a fifth and sixth new secondary school at Ciceron and one at Marigot.
Current Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, issued condolences to the family and loved ones of Sir Thomas.
“To his family, I extend my sincerest condolences to you as you grieve his loss and reflect on his life of service to this country,” PM Pierre said. “The Government and the People of Saint Lucia will remember him for his lasting legacy, which has engendered national pride, particularly when we hear those melodious notes of our National Anthem. Thank you for your many contributions, Sir Leton.”