Under the aegis of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman and Indian Medical Association (IMA), Nedumbassery, Kerala, Indian School Bousher hosted a highly successful staff wellness sessions on 10th May 2024. The event was attended by more than 300 educators and staff members from Indian School Al Mabella, Indian School Muscat, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Wadi Kabir and Indian School Ghubra. Held at the premises of Indian School Bousher, the event aimed to prioritize the physical and mental well-being of individuals in the educational sector.

The event was graced by Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Vice Chairman Mr. Syed Salman, Director Mr. Krishnendu S and Education Advisor Mr. Vinoba M.P. besides the members of the School Management Committee.

The session commenced with a serene and symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a soulful rendition of a prayer song by the school choir, setting a tranquil and harmonious ambiance for the proceedings. Mr. Raja Jayabalan, Acting President of the School Management Committee, Indian School Bousher extended a warm welcome to all attendees, underscoring the importance of the occasion in fostering a culture of holistic wellness within the educational community.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Indian Schools in Oman, delivered an inspirational inaugural address, emphasizing the pivotal role of self-care and well-being in the overall educational landscape. He exhorted the teachers to make self-care a non-negotiable priority in their lives despite the challenges inherent in the teaching profession.

“It’s essential to recognize that teachers are not alone in this journey. Initiatives such as today’s wellness programme serve as a testament to our collective commitment to prioritizing the well-being of our educators,” Dr Manickam said.

Chairman appreciated the resource persons who generously volunteered their time and expertise to support the teaching community.

Following Dr. Manickam’s address, the session gained further momentum with an enlightening introductory address by Dr. Rajiv A. Sunny, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) from Nedumbassery, Kerala, India. Dr. Beena Harikrishna, Chairperson of the Women’s Indian Medical Association (WIMA) and a Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), delivered a felicitation address, acknowledging the significance of the event in promoting holistic wellness among educators.

The session featured esteemed guest speakers, each offering invaluable insights into various facets of health and well-being. Dr. Paul Abraham, an ENT Specialist at Badr Al Samaa Hospital in Al Khuwair, conducted an informative session on voice care and cure, empowering attendees with practical strategies for maintaining vocal health.

Additionally, Dr. Rajyashree N., Founder of Barakath Al Noor Clinic specialized in Breast Care and Perianal Diseases, enlightened the audience on preventive measures and early detection strategies for cancer. Dr. Shifana Attur, a Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Al Hayat International Hospital Ghubra, delved into the topic of achieving a harmonious work-life balance, particularly for female educators.

Moreover, Dr. Basheer AP, Head of Internal Medicine at Badr Al Samaa Hospital in Ruwi, shared insights on maintaining heart health, while Dr. Hashim Veerankutty, a Specialist in Anaesthesia and Critical Care at the Royal Hospital, empowered attendees with essential knowledge on basic life support techniques.

The session culminated with Indian School Bousher Principal Mr. Prabakaran P delivering a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and contributors for their valuable contributions towards making the event a resounding success.

The meticulously planned and flawlessly executed session provided teachers with numerous valuable insights to incorporate into their professional and personal lives. Such initiatives serve as a testament to the BOD’s dedication towards fostering a healthy and supportive educational environment.

With an effort to equip the staff with the 21^st century skills required for effective management of their office, a training on ‘Effective Business Communication and Office Etiquette’ was organized for the admin staff of Indian Schools in Oman on 10^th February 2024 at Indian School Muscat.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman inaugurated the training programme. Applauding the yeoman service rendered by the admin staff, Chairman said, “Your contributions are essential in creating an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning. Without your organizational skills and attention to detail, the administrative aspects of running a school would be difficult.”

Recognizing the role of non-teaching staff in schools is crucial for fostering a culture of appreciation and respect. Their efforts often go unnoticed or undervalued, but they are the backbone of a well-functioning educational institution. The Indian School Board provide adequate training, support, and professional development opportunities to non-teaching staff to enhance their skills and job satisfaction, ensuring they can continue to contribute effectively.

The training programme was facilitated by Dr. Binu James Mathew, a certified trainer with a vast experience of having conducted over 150 training courses across higher educational institutions, corporates and other organizations.

The programme organized for the Indian Schools admin staff included hands-on training on written and spoken communication, time management, emotional intelligence, integrity, and confidentiality. The main objective of this program is to enhance the interpersonal skills of the non-teaching staff which will help them to deal with all stakeholders effectively.

The Valedictory Function of the 5^th edition of the Indian Schools Film Fest (ISFF), an annual event organized under the aegis of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman was held on Sunday, 28^th January 2024 at Indian School Al Seeb Auditorium.

Mrs. Mahfoudha Mubarak Al Araimi, Director General for Labour, Muscat Governorate graced the function as Chief Guest. Mr. Lal Jose, renowned South Indian Film Director, Producer and Actor was the Celebrity Guest on the occasion. Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman presided over the function.

The programme was attended by Mr. Shameer PTK, Vice Chairman, Mr. Nidheesh Kumar, Director in Charge, Mr. Vijay Saravanan, Director on Board, Mr. Vinobha M. P. Senior Principal and Education Advisor, Mr. Krishnan Raman, President of the School Management Committee, Members of the School Management Committee, Principals, Teachers and students of different Indian Schools in Oman.

This 5^th edition of ISFF with the tagline ‘Imagine, Ignite, Influence’ had an array of genres such as Short Film, Animated Film, HSE Video Creation, Ad Making, Reels, Travelogue, and Educational Movie for the students and facilitators to unleash the spark of their ingenuity.

Mr. Krishnan Raman, the President of the School Management Committee welcomed the august gathering and spoke about the educational significance of the Film Fest.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam underscored the significance of the Film Fest in his address. “The purpose of the film fest organized by the Indian School Board is to give a hands on experience to our students on the nuances and techniques of film making and to make them aware of the numerous avenues open to them in this domain,” Dr. Manickam said. He lauded the efforts of Indian School Al Seeb in harnessing maximum participation for the event.

Principal Dr. Leena Francis gave a presentation compiling the exciting phases and vibes of the film fest and threw light on the acumen and creativity of the participants. The School Coordinators were felicitated by Vice Chairman Mr. Shameer PTK, Director in Charge Mr. Nidheesh Kumar and Director on Board Mr. Vijay Saravanan.

Nritanjali, a classical dance performed by the students enthralled the audience by its grace and expressive choreography. Retro to Metro was another dance performance which captured the evolution of dance, music and costume, inviting audience to experience the joyous fusion of past and present.

The keynote address by the renowned film producer Mr. Lal Jose inspired the audience with his personal experience of transformation that films had on him. Chief Guest Mrs. Mahfoudha Mubarak Al Araimi, Director General for Labour, Muscat Governorate along with the Celebrity Guest and Chairman gave away the prizes and certificates to the winners of different genres of film making.

Irresistible euphoria swept across the assembly reached the peak statures of excitement as the Vice Chairman announced Indian School Al Maabela as the overall champions. The coordinator of the winning school team flaunted the coveted trophy in great exultation.

Film Fest was organized in three categories which included Junior (Grade VI to VIII), Senior (Grade IX to XII) and Open Category which could have children of any level. Facilitators of Schools and Children with Special Needs also participated in this mega event. Earlier last month, workshops were held to guide and train the participants on the nuances of filmmaking.

The festivities of the 5^th Edition of ISFF concluded with great memories of fine aesthetic moments brought in by the budding movie makers and their teams. The school choir sang the school anthem, bringing down the curtains of a festive season of anticipation, excitement, and enthusiasm.

The prestigious ‘Navin Asher-Kazi Awards for Excellence in Teaching’ instituted by the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman,were conferred on teachers from Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman at a ceremonious function organized on 18th January 2024 at Indian School Bousher.
His Excellency Shaikh Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Professor Nutayla Al Harthy, Dean, Oman Dental College, Muscat was the Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker.Dr. SivakumarManickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman presided over the function.
The function was attended by Mr. Kiran Asher and family, the patrons of the Award; Shaikh Anil Khimji, Director, KhimjiRamdas Group of Companies; Mrs. Reena Jain, First Secretary, Embassy of India; Vice Chairman Mr. Shameer PTK and other esteemed members of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman; Former Chairpersons Mr. Yusuf Nalwala and Mr. Sandeep Arora; Members of the Board of Directors, Presidents, Principals and the recipients of the Awards for Excellence in Teaching and their families.
In the introductory address Dr. SivakumarManickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, underscoredthe significant role teachers play in the lives of students. The Chairman thanked Mr. Kiran Asher and his family for their generous support in organizing the event for the tenth consecutive year.
“Awards for Excellence in Teaching’ is an annual event designed to encourage, reward, and acknowledge sustained excellence in teaching. The award recognizes excellence in teaching practices that reflect the highest standards in pedagogy, a record of outstanding teaching effectiveness within and outside the classroom, the ability to inspire, promote and sustain the intellectual, emotional and social development of students,” Dr. Manickam said.
His Excellency Shaikh Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas inspired the audience with his insightful thoughts on the role of teachers in society. Quoting the “The quality of a nation depends on the quality of its citizens, and the quality of its citizens depends on their education. The quality of education, in turn, depends on its teachers, who are the backbone of any nation,” said His Excellency Al Rawas.
Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker Professor Nutayla Al Harthy narrated instances of greatness of teachers from her own personal life. Professor Al Harthy highlighted the contribution the Indian Schools in Oman have given with reference to the large number of students studying in 21 Indian Schools across the Sultanate of Oman. “Teachers play a pivotal role not only in imparting education in classrooms but also making students successful in life by imparting values and life skills such as supportive acts service, self-discipline and commitment,” Prof. Al Harthy said.
The teachers who won this prestigious award in different categories are Mrs. ZahidaFaizParkar (Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir) and Mrs. Asha FayasSait (Indian School Al Maabela) in the Kindergarten category;Mrs. DelphyUmesh and Mrs. Rassia C.A. from Indian School Al Maabelain the Primary School Category; Mr. Pradeep Ramaswamy (Indian School Al Maabela) and Mrs. ParvathyBabu (Indian School Sur) in the Middle School Category;Mrs. Indira Sukumaran (Indian School Sohar) and Mrs. AmpiliSundaresan (Indian School Nizwa) in the Senior School Category; Mrs. Sumitra Badoni (Indian School Al Maabela) and Mr. Yeldo T. Ouseph (Indian School Muscat) in the Co-scholastic Category.
In addition to the above, thirty-three teachers in different categories were given Certificates of Recognition for their outstanding contribution in the field of education.Mr. Suresh V.S., Principal, Indian School Ibri and Mr. Santha Kumar Dasari, Principal, Indian School Buraimi were recognized for their long service as Principals in their respective schools. Dr. Alka Singh of Indian School Sohar was felicitated for obtaining Ph.D. for her research in Zoology.
Mrs. Jayshree Asher and Mrs. Jesal Asher Rajda gave away certificates and prizes to the winners of teachers’ competition organized as part of the Navin Asher-Kazi Awards for Excellence in Teaching. The competition was to showcase Teaching Learning Material designed by teachers for making teaching and learning more interactive and interesting.
Mrs. AmbikaPadmanabhan (Indian School Bousher), Mr. MVSR Somayajulu (Indian School Muscat) and Mrs. KavithaAshokan (Indian School Al Maabela) won the first three positions in the digital category; whereas Mrs. SandhyaRakesh (Indian School Jalan), Mrs. SoumiSaji (Indian School Al Maabela) and Mrs. J. Infancy Jermila Rani (Indian School Sohar) won the first three positions in the category of physically crafted teaching learning material.
The cultural programme put up on the occasion by the students of Indian School Bousherenchanted the audience.The programme ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Mr. ShanmughamPurushothaman, President of the Indian School Bousher Management Committee.