Indian School Al Ghubra organized Mon Avis 2025- the Inter School Debate Competition under the aegis of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman on Sunday, 18 May 2025. The Chief Guest for the event was His Excellency Shri G. V. Srinivas, the Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman. The event was also graced by the presence of Mr. Syed Ahmad Salman, Chairman-Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman, Mr. Vinoba M.P, Senior Principal and Education Advisor, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman, members of the School Management Committee of Indian School Al Ghubra and distinguished guests.

In his address, His Excellency Shri G. V. Srinivas stated that AI must be used with care and effectively by human beings as it has the knowledge of the entire world. He also emphasized on the concept of healthy debate which has been an integral part of the Indian tradition of ‘Vaad Vivaad’.

Mr. Syed Ahmad Salman, Chairman-Board of Directors opined that debate is more than just words; it is about understanding perspectives, sharpening of logic and building confidence in each other.

Mr. Omar Al Bahri – motivational speaker and organizational transformation consultant, Dr. Geethu Anne Mathew- an eminent academician, researcher and writer, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur- a scientist and avid public speaker and Mr. Sunil Sadasivan – an accomplished Toastmaster and Project Management Consultant comprised the esteemed panel of Judges.

Among the 15 schools across the Sultanate that competed for the coveted Ambassador’s Rolling Trophy, Indian School Al Ghubra, emerged the overall champions. The young, prolific debaters expressed their views on the pressing topic ‘Artificial Intelligence is a threat to human creativity and originality.’ Students actively exchanged their views on the topic. While the team supporting the motion argued that AI undermines human ingenuity by generating art, music and writing with minimal human input, the team opposing the motion countered that AI can enhance creativity by serving as a tool for inspiration and innovation.

His Excellency Shri G. V. Srinivas, the Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman and Mr. Syed Ahmad Salman, Chairman-Board of Directors gave away the certificates and trophies to the winners. Brijesh Chowdary Mupparaju of Indian School Al Ghubra was adjudged the Best Rebuttal Speaker and Best Speaker. Nathania Maria of Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir was the First Runner-up and Janaki Aneesh of Indian School Sur was the Second Runner-up. The team from Indian School Al Ghubra comprising Brijesh Chowdary Mupparaju and Aayath Khanum was declared the winner of the coveted Ambassador’s Rolling Trophy for Mon Avis 2025.

This platform showcased the analytical skills and argumentative prowess of the students who confidently demonstrated their opinions with conviction.

The Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman organized a three-day Training Programme titled ‘Join the Dots of Foundation Learning’ for the foundational stage teachers of Indian Schools in Oman. The sessions were conducted on 10th May 2025 at Indian School Muscat, 11th May 2025 at Indian School Salalah, and 12th May 2025 at Indian School Muladha. The programme was led by Ms. Sonia Relia – an acclaimed author, educational consultant, TEDx speaker, and CBSE resource person with a rich background in Activity-Based Learning since 1989.
A total of 389 teachers from all 22 branches of Indian Schools in Oman participated in the workshop, which was specially designed for teachers of classes Balvatika to Grade II.
The initiative is a part of the Board’s ongoing commitment to Strategic Vision 2025–2027, which recognizes Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as a cornerstone of educational excellence. The training aligned closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) guidelines, and the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) 2022, with a strong emphasis on creating engaging, inclusive, and activity-rich learning environments for early learners.
Mr.Syed Salman, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, inaugurated the programme at Indian School Muscat. In his address, Mr.Salman emphasized the crucial role of early childhood educators in shaping the foundational years of learning. “This programme is not just about curriculum implementation. It is about empowering teachers to create joyful and meaningful learning experiences that align with NEP 2020. Foundation learning is the bedrock of a child’s academic journey, and our teachers must be equipped to nurture it with creativity, purpose, and empathy.”
During the sessions, Ms. Sonia Relia guided teachers through innovative and practical strategies for effective classroom setups, NCF-FS integration, and activity-based pedagogy tailored for early learners. She also emphasized the importance of creating classrooms that are developmentally appropriate, visually stimulating, and emotionally enriching for young children. She inspired teachers to reflect on their role not just as educators but as facilitators of holistic child development.
The highly interactive training programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from teachers across the Sultanate of Oman, who engaged in discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and reflective learning.

In a press briefing held on 10 May 2025, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, Mr. Syed Ahmad Salman, unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at aligning the Indian schooling system in Oman with emerging global educational trends. These measures reflect a visionary enhancement in curriculum and infrastructure, designed to equip students and educators with future-ready skills and resources.

As part of its strategic agenda for the 2025–27 term, the Board has approved the introduction of Financial Literacy and AI (Artificial Intelligence) as part of the learning framework for students from Class 5 onwards.
A comprehensive Financial Literacy program is being rolled out across all Indian Schools in Oman from this week onwards. This initiative is designed to foster early awareness of financial principles, empowering students with the knowledge to manage personal and household finances effectively while sparking interest in finance as a professional pathway.
The AI curriculum, which will be implemented immediately after the summer break, aims to provide students with foundational exposure to machine learning, algorithms, and responsible use of AI tools—setting a precedent for technology-led education within the region.
Mr. Salman stated. “The integration of AI into the curriculum marks a significant milestone. Our objective is not only to familiarize students with emerging technologies but also to nurture critical thinking, innovation, and digital fluency from a young age.”

The Chairman, further emphasized the Board’s renewed commitment to infrastructure development across schools. An infrastructural audit is currently underway to ensure equity in access to facilities for all students, regardless of location. Major projects are in progress at Indian School Muscat (Jibroo campus), Indian School Darsait, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Sur, and Indian School Salalah, with more schools lined up for development.

In response to growing community demand, the Board has also initiated feasibility studies to establish new Indian Schools in Barka and Sinaw, reaffirming its goal of expanding access to quality education in under-served regions.

Recognizing that the quality of education is intrinsically linked to the capabilities of its educators, the Board has commenced a Training Needs Assessment survey among teaching staff to identify key areas for Professional Development (PD). A structured PD roadmap will be formulated based on these insights to enhance instructional quality across the network.
In a first-of-its-kind move, this nascently formed Board has also consented for the establishment of a Sports Academy under the supervision of the Sports Committee. The academy will nurture and train students with sporting potential and ambition, offering them structured pathways to pursue careers in sports and allied fields.
Mr. Salman concluded by reiterating the Board’s student-centric vision: “Every initiative taken by this Board is directed towards the holistic development of our students—preparing them as global citizens, critical thinkers, and confident individuals in a rapidly evolving world.”
He called upon the parent community and all stakeholders to extend their wholehearted support in embracing and advancing these progressive changes within the Indian Schooling ecosystem in Oman.