Video: Best teachers of CBSE schools awarded during Indian Teachers’ Day celebrations in UAE

Twenty-two teachers and eleven principals were honoured for their excellent academic achievements. According to the association, two best teachers each were chosen from all the 11 CBSE schools in the emirate.

One of the award winning teachers, Lava Kumar Belery of Habitat Private School, Al Tallah, told Gulf News that receiving the honour in front of more than 1500 members of the public including prominent members of academia, was the most emotional moment in his 16-year teaching career in India and the UAE.

Motivation, relaxation

“It is a big motivation and inspiration to the teachers. When we are appreciated, our responsibilities are more,” said the social science teacher who is known for taking several initiatives to expand the horizons of his students in learning the history and cultural diversity of the UAE.

One of the few male teachers who danced on stage, Belery, said the teachers were more excited about participating in the cultural events. “Usually, we prepare students for the events. This time, we got a chance to participate in non-academic activities and it really helped us get some relaxation. We enjoyed our practice sessions after school time and then performing on stage.”

Malathi Das, principal, Global Indian School, Ajman, was one of the senior most principals to be honoured. Appreciating the association for coming up with the award ceremony, she said: “It is a great motivation for teaches to be honoured in such a big gathering. This award is unique because the association allowed principals to contribute in recommending the best teachers from each school.”

Criteria, contributions

She said the criteria included excellence in work, contribution to students’ growth, innovative activities initiated by the teachers as well as more than 10 years’ experience. “It’s very difficult for teachers to compete outside. This award will be a great motivation for teachers to excel in their schools.”

Earlier, Ram Kumar Thangaraj, acting consul general of India and consul (Passport, Attestation and Education) at the Indian Consulate inaugurated the event.

Lauding the Indian teachers in the UAE, he said: “Your service and contribution in promoting the Indian education system in the UAE and in nation-building by creating high quality of human resource in your classrooms is commendable.”

“Inspired teachers are the building blocks of a good education system. An inspired teacher links the individual goals of the students to the societal and national goals ... This is a profession where you have the potential to make more of a difference than just about anything you can go into. So teachers deserve more than just our gratitude,” he added.

COVID-19 warriors

Speaking on behalf of all the principals present, Dr Prema Muralidhar, principal, Woodlem Park School, praised the contribution of the teachers in ensuring that education never stopped when COVID-19 stalled everything else. “And I think we made the world understand that teachers belong to a community that should be the highest paid in the world and I wish to see one day that we as teachers will be blessed and we will be in a situation where we can give our best once again.”

Abdul Salah, president of the IAA, while welcoming the gathering, said: “Our teachers are true pillars of our success … But, despite playing such a crucial role in the lives of students and nation building, they are rarely shown the gratitude they deserve. So, as learners, it is our duty to thank them at least once a year.”

Abdul Rahman Salem Al Suwaidi, patron, IAA and Afthab Ebrahim, chairman, IAA, felicitated the teachers and lauded their contributions.

Chaya Devi Krishnamurthi, programme coordinator, IAA, said the award committee worked with principals to choose the best teachers based on the set criteria.

Due to the overwhelming response and success, the association has decided to hold the award ceremony every year, said Roop Sidhu, general secretary, IAA.