Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, a senior English Teacher at International Indian School, Jubail, receiving Teachers’ Award from Dr. Purshottam Lal, Chairman of International Cardiology of the Metro Group of Hospitals in Delhi. — Courtesy photo

Saeed Haider

Saudi Gazette

 

DAMMAM — Two educationists, one principal and other English language teacher, from the Eastern Province received educational award for excellence in two different award ceremonies in New Delhi, India, last week.



Kazi Siddique Haseeb, Principal of Modern International School, Al-Ahsa, received  an Indian National Award for Excellence in Educational Services as a teacher from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at a glittering function in New Delhi on Sept. 5 to coincide with Teachers’ Day celebrated all over India in mark of respect to former President Late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.



The award ceremony was organized by Human Resource Development and Department of School Education and Literacy of India government. The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smriti Irani was also present on the occasion along with hosts of junior ministers and government officials.



It is interesting to note that the teachers award for many years have been given to principals and not teachers. The Indian community in the Eastern Province alleges that principals nominate themselves for the award, by passing over deserving teachers in order to get extension after attaining retirement age. One of the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) rules stipulates that the superannuation age of principals who have been awarded with president’s national award for education could be raised by another five years.



In the recent past there have been issues where principals of educational institutions were given extension purely for this reason. The Indian Embassy which functions as patron of the school and supervise its meetings and decisions justify such actions and extensions, citing CBSE rules but forgetting that the awards are meant for teachers and not principals who are more of administrators than teachers.



The president while giving away the award said: “Education empowers and enables a nation. A sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society. To build India of our dreams, the foremost task before us is to improve the quality of education infusing modern technologies and addressing the concerns of equality.”



Kazi Siddique received award in recognition of his “valuable contributions in the field of education over the last 28 years. “He has been selected for the coveted award after rigorous scrutiny by the government of India,” said an official statement from the Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry.



Kazi Siddique joined MIS, Al-Ahsa in 2003 as a principal and implemented a number of activities like the Scouts and Guides, regional language teaching, activity-based children centered education, art and aesthetic education, evening coaching in sports and games and many others activity. He is a postgraduate in English and M.Ed. in Education. He has also been awarded with Ministry Award in Education (2013)

 

In another function the seniormost English language teacher of International Indian School, Jubail, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, has been honored by Teachers’ Award for his outstanding achievements in education by a Delhi-based autonomous organization called “Confederation of Education Excellence”. He received this award in New Delhi on Sept. 4 from Dr. Purshotam Lal, Chairman and Director of International Cardiology of the Metro Group of Hospitals and Vinay Kapoor, Chairman and Director Escons group of companies India.



He is the first and the only recipient in the Gulf region to be honored with this prestigious award. This award has not only brought honors to Fakhruddin but has also added a feather in the cap of International Indian School, Jubail. Fakhruddin has been serving the Indian school in Jubail since 2000. He has been teaching senior students and has produced excellent result consistently since last many years in English Language. He has also received a letter of appreciation from. Smriti Irani, Indian Minister for Human Resource Development.