Credentials

Prafulbhai Dalal was born and brought up in Uganda, East Africa. He then studied Engineering at Wadia College, Pune and then joined his Father, Ramjibhai Ladhabhai Dalal in his family business, in Uganda and UK.

He was very social, enjoyed meeting people and was an avid gardener, who loved music and was an accomplished accordion player. He was ahead of his time, and despite having 3 young children, he encouraged his wife to pursue her ambition of studying for a Montessori Teacher’s training course.

Not only that, he also fully encouraged and supported his wife to open an English Montessori School in India, and subsequently took over managing the financial and administrative aspects of the School.

In late 1959, whilst still working in his family business, he moved to London, UK with his wife Virbalaben Dalal and 3 young children. Prafulbhai played an active public life whilst in UK.

Virbalaben Dalal

Virbalaben Prafulbhai Dalal was born in India, and studied at Wilson College Mumbai. She got married at the age of 20. She then moved to Uganda, and subsequently to the UK.

She was an accomplished housewife, mother and a keen reader and thinker. She always regretted not having finished her education, and she decided to do a Montessori Teacher’s Training Diploma in Kolkotta in 1964.

In 1965 she then taught at Shreyas School in Ahmedabad, India – where Madame Maria Montessori was the first Chairman of the School. Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned Scientist was also a Trustee of this School. The vision of this School was to integrate the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Madame Montessori and Rabindranath Tagore.  She moved to Rajkot to open her own school Jaibharat and New Jai Hind Schools in 1969.

In 1972 Virbalaben was chosen as the only representative for Montessori Education to attend a Conference in Japan from India. She was a visionary lady with tremendous energy and enthusiasm.

Neeshat Dalal

Neeshat did her schooling in Shreyas, Ahemdabad and then in Rajkot. She graduated with a BSc degree in Home Science from MS University in Baroda.   She then did a Montessori Teacher’s Training Course in London, before teaching extensively in UK.  She was passionate about teaching and loved interacting with children.

She was accomplished in Indian cookery and had also done Bharat Natyam Arangetram as well as being an expert in Reflexology and Aromatherapy. Neeshat was instrumental in setting up a number of after-school activities for children, both in India as well as in UK.