His father was a tinsmith and his mother a head teacher. Ramkalawan's primary and secondary education were at Seychelles College, the elite boys' school of the country.[1] Ramkalawan was ordained priest in 1985 following theological studies at St Paul's Theological College in Mauritius, and thereafter followed further studies in theology at Birmingham University.[1] Returning to Seychelles, he worked in several parishes in Seychelles, rising to become priest-in-charge of the parish of Holy Saviour.[2]