When I interviewed Niloufer Manzur, principal of Sunbeams School, my first question to her was, “Why is there so much criticism about English medium schools? You could have done so many things in life, why did you decide to establish an English medium school?”
Niloufer Manzur had a counter question, “Do you think I made a mistake? What I did was very correct. Yes, I could have done many things, I did have the opportunity, but where would I get so much love and respect? The love I get from my students is unadulterated. This love is the greatest achievement in my life. I worked my entire life for this.”
I took Niloufer Manzur’s interview in the last week of October last year. When I heard of her demise, it all came back to me, memories of the interview. She had told me she didn’t have the time for an interview as she was preparing to go to London in a day or two, to attend a conference. She suggested that I interview Tazeen Ahmed, the principal of Sunndydale. I said that Tazeen Ahmed has suggested I take her interview.
I explained we were bringing out a special issue on 2 or 3 November, before Prothom Alo’s anniversary on 4 November. She said, “You don’t give up, do you? Interview your editor Matiur Rahman instead. Ask him why people like him send their grandchildren to my school.”
She finally told me to send the questions in writing and she would reply when she managed the time. She was too busy to answer the questions and had an official of her school to do so. But even then I wanted to clarify some points with her and called her again. She was in London and the conference was over.
Finally on 1 November, while I was so stressed because the page was to be finalised, she called and gave me her views. We talked for long over the phone.
For certain reasons, we couldn’t hold the 21st anniversary event of Prothom Alo, but organised an informal gathering in the office. Niloufer Manzur was busy but made the time to come and she seemed to enjoy the event. As I was seeing her off, she patted my shoulder and said, come over to the school some day. I will talk to you in detail. But that day is never to be.
Niloufer Manzur established Sunbeams over four and a half decades ago. Thousands of students from this school are now established in the country and abroad. There is a huge demand to get admitted into Sunbeams, but they admit only a limited number of students. Why? She could have opened 10 or 20 branches of the school.
Niloufer Manzur had replied, “It is not about opening branches and getting students. It is about quality. The school has to be managed. I see this as a service, not a business.”
Niloufer Manzur’s personality, her contribution and her passion for education remains exemplary. During the interview, she had said, “We have the second generation coming to school now. My students at the outset of the school are now sending their children here. It feels good when my former students bring their children for admission. But then it feels bad if I can’t admit anyone. After all, I won’t take more than 25 students per section. Each class has three sections and I won’t take more than 75 in the three sections of a class.”
Does she see any difference between her former students and the students of today?
Niloufer Manzur said, “The generation of today is very advanced. The views, demands and needs of the generation have changed. They want to be global citizens.”
Sharifuzzaman is head of reporting, Prothom Alo and can be reached at [email protected]
Also read:
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/government/pm-hasina-mourns-death-of-niloufer-manzur
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/city/sunbeams-school-founding-principal-niloufer-manzur-dies