MUSCAT: “July 24, 1993, was my first working day in Oman,” recalls Dr Leena Francis, reflecting on a journey that has spanned more than three decades. As she prepares to leave the Sultanate after 33 years of dedicated service, she sums up her experience in four words: “Grasped, Gathered and Gained Generations.”

For Dr Leena, Oman has never been just a workplace. It has been, as she describes it, her “home away from home”—a place where she built a distinguished career, raised a family and helped shape generations of students, teachers and educational leaders within the Indian School system.

After 33 years of service, Dr Leena Francis has bid farewell to Oman, bringing to a close an inspiring career that saw her rise from a Science and Mathematics teacher to principal while contributing significantly to some of the Indian School system’s most impactful educational initiatives.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my long 33-year tenure here,” she said, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Omani people, the Ministry of Education officials, and the wider community. “The hospitality of the nationals has been overwhelming.”

She also thanked everyone who played a role in her professional journey, including students, teachers, parents, Directors-in-Charge (DiCs), the President and members of the School Management Committees.

“Every one of them contributed to my growth—from being a classroom teacher to becoming a school principal,” she said.

For Dr Leena and her family, Oman became home in every sense. Her husband, V.A. Francis, worked with the Saud Bahwan Group from 1987 until his retirement in 2020, while both their children were born and educated in Oman.

“To me and my family, the late Sultan Qaboos was a father figure. I still have his photograph on my desk. The people of Oman have been amazing. We had a comfortable and fulfilling life here,” she said.

Dr Leena began her journey in the Indian School system in 1993 as a Science and Mathematics teacher at Indian School Darsait. Her commitment and leadership saw her steadily rise through the ranks—becoming Head of the Science Department in 2009, Vice Principal in 2011, Principal of Indian School Al Seeb in 2017 and, most recently, Principal of Indian School Muladha in 2024.

Among the defining milestones of her career was serving as a core member of the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) initiative at Indian School Darsait, which became the first school in the Gulf region to receive NABET accreditation in 2012.

Another proud achievement was the Knowledge Collage of Oman and India (KOIN), which entered the Asia Book of Records in 2024. More than 2,000 students collaborated to create a massive handwritten collage showcasing nine themes celebrating the shared heritage, culture, tourism and friendship between India and Oman.

During her tenure at Indian School Al Seeb from 2017 to 2024, the school consistently produced outstanding academic results, with Grade 10 and Grade 12 students securing first, second or third positions across the Indian School system. She also spearheaded the complete digital transformation of the campus through the installation of interactive panels while strengthening both academic standards and co-curricular programmes.

“I am a strong believer in teamwork,” she said. “It is the student who made me a teacher. My colleagues, mentors and predecessors all played a part in helping me reach this stage.”

Her leadership extended well beyond the classroom. Dr Leena played a pivotal role in organising several flagship inter-school initiatives, including the Indian Schools Career Expo (Avenir), the Indian Schools Talent Fest, the Indian School Film Fest and Capacity Focused Interactions across Oman and the Gulf.

As Oman Chapter Convenor during 2024–25, she coordinated professional development programmes for hundreds of teachers and organised the Gulf Council Conference for school principals, reinforcing her commitment to educational leadership and continuous professional growth.

Her contributions have been recognised through numerous honours over the years, including the Board of Directors’ inaugural Excellence Award for Teachers in 2010, multiple Best Teacher Awards, long-service honours, awards for academic excellence and recognition from Oman’s Ministry of Education.

An accomplished academic, Dr Leena earned a PhD in Educational Administration, published research on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and served as a resource person at national and international educational forums.

Originally from Thrissur in Kerala, Dr Leena graduated in Physics before pursuing professional qualifications in teaching, an MBA and eventually a doctorate. She credits her mother, a Math teacher who retired as a principal, as the greatest inspiration behind her own lifelong commitment to education.

As she prepares to leave the country that shaped much of her life, Dr Leena says Oman will forever remain part of her identity.

A firm believer in the power of human resources and lifelong learning, she hopes the generations she taught, mentored and inspired will continue to carry forward the values of curiosity, collaboration and excellence.

For Dr Leena Francis, the journey has never been just about teaching lessons—it has been about grasping opportunities, gathering experiences, gaining wisdom and nurturing generations.