The prestigious ‘Navin Asher-Kazi Awards for Excellence in Teaching’ instituted by the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman, were conferred on twelve teachers from Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman at a ceremonious function organized on 27 February 2019 at Indian School Al Maabela.
His Excellency Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman was the chief guest and Sheikh Kanaksi Gokaladas Khimji was the Guest of Honour. Mr. Gopinath Muthukad, renowned motivational speaker and Celebrity UNICEF Advocate for Child Welfare delivered the keynote address.
The function was attended by the luminaries of Indian diaspora, officials from Ministry of Education, Members of the Board of Directors, Award Nominees, Members of the School Management Committees, Principals and senior staff of Indian Schools.
In the introductory address Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman, Board of Directors – Indian Schools in Oman urged all teachers to empower themselves and to be the best versions of themselves, in order to similarly mould children to be reach their potential, also highlighting the pedagogical approaches required for 21st century education. Dr. Samuel concluded his address by presenting the key updates made to the event and the award process in this edition.
Mr. Gopinath Muthukad who delivered the key-note address centered his message around the salient aspects of experiential teaching and learning that differentiates a guru from a teacher. He also emphasized on the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the society in the changing world.
There were eighty-one teachers who submitted their nominations from different Indian schools for the Awards.
First two positions in each category were conferred ‘Awards of Excellence’: The teachers who won the Awards are Mrs. Padmavathy Sampath (Kindergarten-ISAM), Mrs. Bindu John (Primary – ISWK), Mrs. Felcy Zeena Fernandes (Middle – ISM), Mr. Vikram Singh Yaduvanshi (Secondary / Senior Secondary – ISM), Mr. Sajit Kumar (Co-scholastic – ISAM), Mrs. Hema Mohanasundaram (Care and Special Education) and Mrs. Geetha Kanthappan (Special Educator – ISAM).
Second positions in each of the categories were Mrs. Sajitha Fazal (Kindergarten-IS Nizwa), Mrs. T.S.Jayashree (Primary – ISAM), Mr. Deepak Kumar Singh (Middle – IS Ibra), Mrs. Lata Saju (Secondary / Senior Secondary – ISG) and Mr. Gagandeep Singh (Co-scholastic – IS Sohar). Teachers who were shortlisted for their teaching excellence were given certificates of recognition on the occasion.
Principals were also felicitated on the occasion based on the duration of service they rendered to Indian Schools in Oman. Mrs. Papri Ghosh (Principal, Indian School Al Ghubra), Mr. Trevor Brown (Principal, Indian School Salalah) and Mr. Shaik Ismail Shareef (Principal, Indian School Muladha) were given Long Service Award by the Chief Guest.
Dr. Sivakumar, member of the Academic Advisory council of the Board, was lauded for his unwavering efforts in the creation of the VLE portal for the Indian Schools in Oman.
As part of the Award Ceremony, the Board of Directors of Indian Schools felicitated teachers who obtained ‘Meritorious Achievements’ in the last academic year. Four teachers who qualified for this unique award are Dr. S. Srinivasan and Dr. Vishnu Parameswarn for being conferred Ph.D., Mrs. N. Sujatha, a senior Biology teacher of Indian School Sur for publication of her research papers in International journals and Mr. Venketeson Karthikeyan, senior Physical Education Teacher from Indian School Muscat for being qualified to umpire International Tennis Tournaments.
Another highlight was an Acrostic Poetry Contest organized for the students of Indian Schools as part of the prestigious award ceremony. In the junior category Devika Balakrishnan (ISG) won the first position and Fathima Zayan (IS Ibra) won the second position. In the senior category, Mathivaruni Rajakumar (IS Ibra) won the first position and Sumitha Muruganandam (IS Seeb) secured the second position.
The cultural programme put up on the occasion by the students of Indian School Al Maabela and the Centre for Special Education enthralled the audience. Dr. C.M. Najeeb, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, congratulated the awardees and thanked the Asher family for sponsoring the award.