The effective educationist

Died: Dolly Jehangir Edulbehram, 76, committed educationist and head of All India ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) Schools, in Bombay on December 19, 2012.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” believed Edulbehram during the over four decades that she influenced students, their parents, the staff and the management of different educational institutions with which she was connected. Her kind yet firm demeanor and devotion to her work endeared her to her seniors, peers and juniors.
Her most enduring ties though were with the Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu with which she was associated for 25 years since its inception in 1971. Starting as headmistress of the primary section, "her single-minded devotion to her work was rewarded” when she was made principal of the School, a post to which she brought honor and dignity for 12 years until she retired. "Celebrities’ children, industrialists’ children and anybody who wanted the very best educational background thronged the School,” notes a tribute forwarded by her niece Zarin Havewala.

Dolly Edulbehram (above and alongside) with staff and students at a function of The DPYA High School

During her tenure with Jamnabai Narsee she was also make the head of All India ICSE Schools when she used her experience to guide other ICSE schools to set and reach their targets for improvement in syllabus and methods of teaching thereby making education a meaningful experience. In the last decade of her life she was invited to become a management consultant to various ICSE and IB (International Baccalaureate) Schools in the suburbs of Bombay like the Podar International School, Billabong High International School, Janki Devi Public School and RBK Academy. Drawing on her experience in the setting up and running of these educational institutions, the RBK Academy even requested her to teach English literature to their IB and IGCSE (The International General Certificate of Secondary Education) students of grades 9 and 10 in the last two years.
Yet another educational institution to benefit from her experience was The Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly (DPYA) High School where she was appointed principal after retiring from Jamnabai Narsee. Introducing innovative methods, she is credited with bringing about a number of changes in the working of the School. During this time Edulbehram worked closely with the Dadar Athornan Madressa as it was then known and ensured that all its students who pursued their general education at DPYA availed of the extracurricular activities offered to them. An accomplished artist and a talented seamstress, she believed in holistic education and endeavored to extend the frontiers of education such that besides academics, the physical, emotional and spiritual development of the child was promoted.
Known for her grace and charm she was recognized as "a lady of few words.” Her written words though influenced generations of students for she had authored texts on various subjects. Additionally her pro bono work in teacher training and curriculum development aided schools like the one in the slum area of Dharavi run by the Art of Living organization states her daughter Parizad Karnik. Director of the RBK School, Rupal Kanakia of the Kanakia group has initiated a scholarship for poor students in memory of the dear mentor, mentions her son Jehanbux.
Having lost her father Minoo Jhansiwalla when she was only an infant, her mother Villa, stepfather Rustomji Mistry, grandparents and elder siblings influenced her formative years. Her schooling was at Bombay’s J. B. Vachha High School after which she graduated in Arts from St Xavier’s College and took up a job at Larsen and Toubro. More interested in pursuing a teaching career, it was at the age of 30, after her marriage to Jehangir Edulbehram that she earned a BEd degree and started teaching at the MA High School in Andheri and thereafter at the newly opened Manekji Cooper Education Trust School.
"She was a devout Zoroastrian and a profoundly spiritual person,” observed Jehanbux, adding, "She deeply believed in the basic tenets of Zoroastrianism but was neither dogmatic nor was she dismissive of other religions and beliefs.” The teacher was particularly sympathetic to Parsis who sought her guidance regarding their children’s education.
The popular principal is survived by her daughter Parizad Karnik and son Jehanbux Edulbehram.