Muscat – 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 recently at Indian School Ghubra.

His Excellency Shri Amit Narang, the Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Mr. Mahmoud bin Yahya bin Hamoud al Hussaini, Assistant Director General for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Ministry of Education was the Guest of Honour, Ms. Kawthar bint Khalifa bin Khamas al Sulaimani, Assistant Director -International Schools Office, Ministry of Education was the Special Guest, Mr. Aaditya R Khimji, Managing Director, Seera Communications LLC was the Keynote Speaker. Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, 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; Former Chairman Mr. Yusuf Nalwala, esteemed 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. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, emphasized the transformative role of teachers in unlocking the untapped potential of students’ minds. He personified the teacher as an architect who not just builds the students’ intellect but also values, vision and character development surpassing the traditional role of an educator. The Chairman thanked Mr. Kiran Asher and his family for their magnanimous support in organising the event for twelfth 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. “A heartfelt congratulations to all the teachers, whose excellence and commitment have rightfully earned them this recognition,” Dr. Manickam said.

His Excellency Shri Amit Narang captivated the audience with his profound insights into the pivotal role of teachers in society. He highlighted that the Indian system holds education in the highest regard. He further emphasized that the role of teachers in preparing children for an uncertain future, one that is rapidly shaped by disruptive technologies, has become even more crucial today than in the past. “In today’s world, the true responsibility of educators is not just to impart knowledge, but to empower students to think independently, teaching them ‘how’ to think, rather than ‘what’ to think,” said His Excellency.

Mr.Ahmed Rayees, President of the School Management Committee of Indian School Al Ghubra, praised the contributions of Mr. Kiran Asher to the Indian Schools and extended his sincere thanks to him and his family for upholding this cherished tradition. Quoting Henry Adams, “A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops,” he underscored the enduring impact teachers have on their students. He further, recognized the exceptional contributions of His Excellency Shri Amit Narang for his instrumental role in strengthening India-Oman relations. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Indian schooling community in Oman, Mr. Rayees expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency for his unwavering support of Indian Schools. He particularly lauded His Excellency’s thought-provoking speeches, which have resonated with students and the community at large, demonstrating his outstanding oratory and leadership.

Mr. Aaditya R. Khimji delivered an insightful keynote on Artificial Intelligence and its Transformative Impact on Education and Business. He explored how AI, particularly ChatGPT and Generative AI, is transforming education. Discussing the broader implications of AI, Mr. Khimji emphasized how AI shapes the talent and workplace culture. He reinforced that in today’s data-driven world, “Data is GOLD,” empowering management to make informed, strategic decisions. His thought-provoking session left the audience with a deeper understanding of AI’s role in shaping the future of education and business.

The teachers who won this prestigious award in different categories are Mrs. Rashmi Radhakrishnan (Indian School Muscat ) and Mrs.Hina Ansari (Indian School Bousher) in the Kindergarten category; Mrs. Kanchan Bajeli and Mrs. Vidhya Vishnu from Indian School Muscat in the Primary School Category; Mrs.Sandhini Dinesh (Indian School Bousher) and Mrs.Jisha Lal Deepak (Indian School Al Maabela) in the Middle School Category; Mrs.Haseena Begum Abdul Azeez and Mrs.Jyothilakshmi Ranjit from Indian School Darsait in the Senior School Category; Mr.Ashutosh Pant and Mr.Victor Paul Raj from Indian School Muscat in the Co-scholastic Category.

In addition to the above, thirty-eight teachers in different categories were given Certificates of Recognition for their outstanding contribution in the field of education. Mr. Deepak Patankar, Principal, Indian School Salalah, Dr.Srinivasan.S, Principal, Indian School Sur and Mr.Abu Hussain Abdul Kasim, Principal, Indian School Rustaq were recognized for their long service as Principals in their respective schools.