Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – A brainstorming session dubbed “Principals Meet: Scenario analysis” gave principals and top academics of the Jeddah-based international Indian schools a rare opportunity to share their views, concerns and visions with regard to promoting academic standard of tens of thousands of Indian students. Sign's Jeddah Chapter organized the session to brief on its ambitious leadership-training program (LEAD2020) aimed at empowering Indian students so as to make them globally competitive. Speaking to Saudi Gazette at the end of the session, the principals shared their excitement over the deliberations and outcome of the meet, saying in unison that the initiative would be a grand success if translated into action effectively. Highly enthusiastic and upbeat on the viability of LEAD2020, which is a joint program in collaboration with Al Abeer Medical Group, they offered full support to the initiative. The principals of Indian schools in Jeddah had for the first time gathered under one platform to discuss a myriad of problems and challenges facing students. While suggesting ideal solutions to these problems, they vowed commitment to be part of collective endeavors in pursuit of excellence.The function was inaugurated by Alungal Muhammad, chairman and managing director of Al Abeer Medical Group, at Seasons restaurant. Sign's Jeddah President Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University was the moderator. "The academic leaders vowed their commitment to our collective initiative of equipping students to face the challenges back home. "Our students must be given exposure to stark realities in and around their localities," said Dr. Maritheri who is also a vibrant leadership trainer said."The principals inspired us with ideas and visions besides drawing attention to some pressing problems and concerns such as lack of training facilities, women empowerment, spreading of junk food, lack of parental involvement and laziness of parents," he said while hoping that the fruits of this initiative could benefit all Indian schools. Indian International School Jeddah (IISJ) Principal Syed Masood Ahmad, who opened the discussion, told Saudi Gazette: “The enthusiasm that we have seen here on the part of top expatriate academics should be tapped to the maximum through sustainability of such programs and translating our ideas into action.” He called on school authorities to introduce programs and projects aimed at developing leadership qualities of children in all walks of life. “We need clear perception about what sort of leaders we need, and henceforth we must evaluate the potential and talent that each student has.Children need proper orientation in choosing their courses of study, identifying priorities and making decisions,” he said. Masood also stressed the importance of active involvement of parents in educational development of children. "Development of children is not a unilateral process, and cooperation and coordination between parents and school is the need of the hour. "There will be a huge vacuum if parents were not involved in the process of molding children," he added. Dr. Padma Hariharan of Novel School said that she was extremely excited at the outcome of the meeting and pinned great hope on the meet that it would bring about tremendous changes in improving quality of education of international schools in Jeddah. “In whatever we do for the students, proper curriculum mapping is mandatory. The entire curriculum should be developed after taking into consideration of not only aptitude aspects but innovative side as well,” she said, adding that teaching, learning and streamlining students for the future on the basis of cross-cultural subjects is a must. Dr. Padma said the Sign initiative would help children to interact with the global community by making use of the high tech facilities. She also briefed other principals on the initiatives such as Model UN and EduMedia introduced at her school, in addition to creating a botanical garden by children on the terrace of the school building. Echoing similar views, K. Rahamathullah of Al Wurood School said Peevees schools introduced many good initiatives and innovative programs like smart classrooms, EduMedia and EduSport to bring quality education and developing talent and creativity of students. “We introduced interschool football tournaments in KSA for the first time, in addition to interschool quiz and debate competitions, and a mock UN conference. If we give better chances and motivation to children, the results would be fantastic,” he said. On her part, Sreedevi. V. Menon, principal, Al-Wurood girls' section and assistant director of Peevees Group of Schools-KSA, stressed the need to develop a team of balanced leaders who believe in traditions and modernism by adapting to the modern world requirements without losing traditional roots. She also emphasized that this is essential not only to build competent individuals through developing their talent and potentials but also to develop a feeling of compassion to fellow beings. Nikhat of Buds and Blossoms School described the initiative as a very good platform to share views and ideas regarding quality education and improving leadership capabilities through collective efforts. She underscored the need for active parental involvement and better training for teachers. Abdul Samad K.A, principal of Al Mawarid School, stressed on value-based education and proper orientation with active involvement of parents. "Sign's talent and leader hunt will be a landmark initiative in Jeddah and we will offer full cooperation to it," he added. Taking part in the discussion, IISJ's vice principal Farhathunnisa, head mistress Mariya Ramaswami and head masters Rasheed Farouqi and Noufal Palakkoth highlighted the steps taken by the school in developing values, and mental and physical health of students. While lamenting that the expatriate students are emotionally weak, they called for motivating children to develop will power and mental and emotional strength. Shanavas of Talal School called on teachers to discover not only the talent but also the weakness in children and address them properly. Maimuna Ali of MIS School urged schools to conduct programs that contribute to empowerment. Anil Kumar of Hayat School stressed the need for developing healthy food habit and warned against the alarmingly increasing junk food culture. Zeenath Saleem of Dauhat ul Uloom School wanted parents and teachers to focus on training children to confront the 'cultural shock' that they could face back home. Al-Noor School' headmaster Abdul Nasar also spoke on the occasion. Sign Jeddah's academic director Salah Karadan said the meet decided to conduct a common entrance test for students of grades VI and VII on Feb. 13. More than 13,000 Indian school students are expected to sit for a 90-minute examination in English, mathematics, general knowledge and mental ability. Students from poor background will be given priority. In the final phase, 80 talented students will be picked from more than 200 qualified students in the preliminary test through a written test, group discussion and a personal interview. "These students will be eligible for a 70-hour foundation course of international standard, civil service exam coaching courses, all-India professional exam coaching courses, educational trips and leadership workshops," he said. Karadan welcomed the gathering while Sign Jeddah General Secretary Anas Parappil gave the the vote of thanks. Chief project coordinator Abdul Lathief Parappurath made the Lead 2020 presentation. Dr. Muhammad Kavungal, Advt. Alavikkutti, Faisal P.T, Jamaluddin, Bashir Thottiyan, Ashraf Ponnani, and Ashraf Chelakkahd were among the organizers of the event.
