“The children – it’s all about the children,” Dr Peter Manser said as he waved goodbye to staff and the broader community of Alexander Road High School in Port Elizabeth.
“I have always wanted, throughout my entire life, to be a teacher. I did not want to become a fireman, train driver or a post office official. I wanted to be a teacher,” he said.
Twenty three years at the helm as principal of Alex and 27 years in education bears testimony to the passion, hunger and love he has for education.
The father of three and grandfather of four spoke with enthusiasm and authority as he reflected on his journey and his future endeavours.
“They [children] are the bricks and mortar that have shaped my home and brought inspiration, passion and energy to everything that has defined my role as a leader, manager and visionary,” he said.
And while Manser, 63, may be done with school, he is not ready to leave the education sector yet.
Manser has been appointed provincial executive officer for the Eastern Cape governing body foundation, which propagates the best interests of sound governance in South African public schools.
“I have been offered this opportunity, which I accepted.
“You know, when you are teaching until the age of 65 you are declared to be old and unable to run a school – which would have happened to me come the end of next year.
“Now this opportunity arose, so I decided to take it.
“I feel perfectly comfortable. The timing has been wonderful. I am not stressed, am not tired. I’m motivated. The school is in very good place, so now it’s time and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Asked what stood out as the highlight of his journey thus far, Manser said the love for children irrespective of their culture, gender, religion or where they came from.
“For me, making children feel significant rather than personally successful is very important. Be passionate and understanding.“We can make them happy, safe and enjoying life wherever they are. That has been my focus,” Manser said.
He also reflected on the issue of transformation in schools and said he was blessed to be part of the pioneering group which had embraced integration and the transformation of education.
“It has been an incredible challenge and wonderful opportunity. The journey continues,” he said.
Manser matriculated from Wynberg Boys’ High School in Cape Town in 1973 and went on to study for a BA at Rhodes University, majoring in English.
He also did a higher diploma in education. From there he had to follow the normal path of military service.
Thereafter he taught at Rhodes High School in Cape Town. He was later appointed deputy principal at a school in Simon’s Town in 1988.
In 1991, he returned to the Eastern Cape, where he was appointed senior deputy principal for Alexander Road High School.
He then went back to Simon’s Town in 1994 as principal, and returned to Alex three years later to take up the position of principal.
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