Muscat: Indian School Duqm, the 22^nd Indian School in the Sultanate of Oman, was formally inaugurated by H.E. Shri Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Badar bin Nasser Al Farsi, Wali of Duqm at a ceremonious function on Tuesday, 11^th June 2024 on the School premises.

Dr. Khadija bint Ali bin Muhammad Al Salamiya, Director General of Private Schools, Mr. Hamed Al Mashiki, Assistant Director General for Educational Affairs, Mr. Mansour Al Janibi, Director of Education Administration Duqmi, Mr. Mohammed bin Salem bin Habib Al Hamdani, Senior Foreign School Specialist, Foreign Schools Office, Ministry of Education, and Ministry Officials from the  Wusta Governorate   were the Special Guests on the occasion.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, Mr. Jayapal Dethe, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Mrs. Ashwini S. Sawrikar, Mr. Krishnendu S., and Mr. Vijay Saravanan, Members of the Indian School Board, and Mr. Vinoba M.P., Senior Principal and Education Advisor to the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, luminaries of Indian diaspora and the Indian Community members of Duqm graced the occasion with their presence.

His Excellency Shri Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, unveiled the plaque and formally inaugurated the School. This was followed by the inauguration of the play area of the School by Mrs Divya Narang, spouse of H.E. Amit Narang.

The Kindergarten section of the School was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Badar bin Nasser Al Farsi, Wali of Duqm. Dr. Khadija bint Ali bin Muhammad Al Salamiya, Director General of Private Schools, Ministry of Education, inaugurated the Primary Section of the School and officially released the School Logo.

The Chief Guest and the esteemed officials from the Ministry of Education along with the Chairman and other dignitaries, visited the school campus and witnessed the quality educational opportunities offered by the School complemented by latest technologies, all intended to provide exemplary 21st-century education.

His Excellency Shri Amit Narang took pride in being a part of the Indian School Duqm project. In his address, His Excellency thanked His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and His Majesty’s Governments for providing support to the Indian diaspora in all domains. He emphasized that the school will contribute to the overall development of Duqm.

The Ambassador thanked Her Excellency Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed bin Nassir Al Shibaniya, Honourable Minister of Education, Sultanate of Oman for her constant guidance and relentless support in all the educational initiatives of Indian Schools, particularly in  realizing the establishment of Indian School Duqm. “It is a historic moment and a long cherished dream of the Indian Community in Duqm,” His Excellency said. 

In her keynote address, Dr. Khadija Ali Mohammed Al Salami, Director General of Private Schools, Ministry of Education, lauded the efforts of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman in establishing a school at Duqm and said that it was a historic moment in the annals of the strong bilateral bond between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India.

In his address Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman thanked the Ministry of Education for its relentless support in all educational endeavours of Indian Schools. He acknowledged the contribution made by the various stakeholders in accomplishing the establishment of Indian School Duqm.

“We are proud of our culture and education, and we take pride in providing the best of education to our children, and as Indians, we value and prioritize education of our children more than anything else,” said Dr. Manickam and he hoped that the presence of Indian School would attract more professionals with their families to come to Duqm.

The cultural programme put up by students embellished the inaugural ceremony and enthralled the audience with their spectacular performance.

Mrs. Snehal R. Gupte, Headmistress of Indian School Duqm, proposed the vote of thanks and reiterated that every effort would be made to nurture the intellectual, emotional, and social growth of each student, preparing them for success in an ever-changing world. Considering the high quality of education at an affordable rate in a secure and environmentally friendly campus, Indian School Duqm is expected to attract a large number of new applicants in subsequent years.

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