President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday paid tribute to the late Dr Brian O’Toole, co-founder of the prestigious School of the Nations and director of Nations University, describing him as “an educator, builder and moral presence” whose life’s work has enriched Guyana not only in example but also in substance. In remarks posted on his official social media page and delivered during a reflection service held Friday evening at the School of the Nations campus on New Market Street, President Ali lauded Dr O’Toole’s quiet dedication to education and service. “Dr O’Toole was a quiet man. He did not seek attention, nor did he cultivate public acclaim,” the President wrote, highlighting how through “steady effort and deliberate choices, he altered the educational landscape of Guyana in ways that are now impossible to ignore.” The President noted that while the institution mourns the loss of one of its founders, Dr O’Toole’s influence lives on. “The School of the Nations remains his monument, quiet, functional, and enduring,” he said, adding that the standards he helped establish will continue through the school’s students and teachers.
Dr O’Toole, who passed away on January 10, 2026, at the age of 71, was a towering figure in Caribbean education and a much-loved member of the Guyanese community. Originally from the United Kingdom (UK), he had made Guyana his home since 1978 and became a citizen, contributing more than four decades of service to teaching and educational development. Together with his wife, Pamela O’Toole, he opened the School of the Nations in June 1996, inspired by educational models he encountered during international consultancy work, including with UNICEF. What began as a modest private school has since grown into an institution offering preschool through sixth form education with internationally recognised Cambridge qualifications, as well as a tertiary arm known as Nations University.
Dr O’Toole’s contributions to education were formally recognised in 2018 when he was awarded both the Golden Arrow of Achievement by the Government of Guyana and appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the British Crown for his service to education in the Commonwealth. Beyond his academic roles, Dr O’Toole was respected for his humanitarian efforts and commitment to inclusive education. The school he helped nurture became known for embracing students from diverse backgrounds and for its community outreach programmes that extended learning opportunities to underprivileged neighbourhoods. On Saturday, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud also paid her final respects at a solemn tribute held at the National Cultural Centre. The Minister was one of many who signed the official book of condolences and offered deep sympathies to Dr O’Toole’s wife, Pamela, and their family, honouring his lasting legacy as a distinguished educator. Dr O’Toole is survived by his wife, Pamela, his children and five grandchildren. His passing is widely mourned across Guyana’s educational and civic sectors, with many reflecting on a life dedicated to shaping future generations.
Dr O’Toole was laid to rest on Saturday.
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