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Times of Oman
15-05-2025
- Science
- Times of Oman
CBSE Class 12 result 2025 Oman Toppers: Check names and Percentage
Muscat: Students from Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman have shown remarkable results as the results of the CBSE grade 12 were declared on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Students were seen celebrating the moment with big smiles and proud parents around as happiness and pride filled the air. According to the Board of Directors Indian Schools Oman following is the list of toppers: Indian School Al Ghubra's Sabyasachi Choudhury secured the top spot in Science with 98.4% Indian School Muscat's student, Sanghvi Anand came in the first in Commerce with 97.8% Indian School Wadi Kabir's Sakina Jariwala and Israa Mohammed Sadique Shaikh of Indian School Al Ghubra stood first in Humanities with 98.4% The 2025 results of the CBSE Board have set an all-time record for the Indian Schools in Oman with an increased percentage of high achievers as compared to previous years, thereby setting another benchmark of excellence in academics. Indian Schools in Oman continue to uphold an open-admission policy, ensuring that every child seeking education in the Sultanate of Oman is welcomed. The schools provide robust support mechanisms, including remedial classes, virtual learning environments, and a common pre-board examination framework, to promote academic well-being and inclusive progress. As the academic vision of Indian Schools in Oman evolves, it remains aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India and the transformational goals of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), India. The focus is on nurturing lifelong learners equipped with 21st-century skills, global competencies, and strong ethical values shaping future-ready citizens for a dynamic world.
Times of Oman
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Financial sustainability will be a challenge for Indian schools in remote areas: Dr. Sivakumar
MUSCAT: In a candid conversation, Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman, reflects on his leadership journey over the past few years. A passionate advocate for academic excellence and the growth of the education sector, Dr. Manickam's leadership has shaped the Indian School system in Oman over the past three years, navigating significant challenges while pioneering initiatives that continue to impact the community. With over 30 years in education, his focus on fostering quality learning environments and providing accessible education remains a hallmark of his career. In this candid conversation, he shares his perspectives on the future of Indian Schools, the role of technology in education, and the impact of community-driven schools on the Indian diaspora in Oman. Here are excerpts from the conversation: Q: What were the key priorities when you first assumed the role of chairman, and how have they evolved over your tenure? A: When I took over as chairman in April 2021, Indian Schools in Oman were still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The immediate priority was to address the academic disruptions and the financial challenges schools and families faced. We were fortunate to have the Indian Schools Virtual Learning Environment (ISOVLE) already in place, which allowed us to swiftly transition to online learning and minimise academic losses. Simultaneously, we worked with our stakeholders to ease the financial burden on families by offering flexible fee payment plans, recognising the difficulties many were experiencing. Throughout my tenure, the focus was always on improving the quality of education while making it accessible to the largest number of students, regardless of their background or financial capacity. At the time of my takeover, the Indian Schools were already a major force in the region's educational landscape, catering to over 47,000 students across 22 schools in Oman. This success, I believe, is a result of the collective efforts of many - teachers, parents, and the community - who have worked tirelessly to provide an inclusive and affordable education for every child. We owe a great deal to the wisdom of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, whose vision for the educational sector laid the foundation for these institutions, and to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik for continuing to uphold this legacy. Together with the Ministry of Education in Oman and the Embassy of India, we've been able to navigate challenges, particularly those brought about by the pandemic, and continue to offer high-quality education. Q: What are the most significant achievements of the board under your leadership? A: During my time as chairman, the board launched several key initiatives designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking - skills essential for the 21st century. Programmes such as the Indian Schools Talent Fest (ISTF), Indian Schools Film Fest (ISFF), and Mon Avis have become vital platforms for our students to showcase their talents and broaden their horizons. We also prioritised technological advancements, with ISOVLE enabling Indian Schools to integrate digital learning long before the pandemic, and capacity-building workshops for teachers to enhance their teaching skills. Additionally, our Psychometric Assessments for Career Path Selection have supported over 10,000 students in making informed decisions about their futures. Q: What challenges did you face as chairman, and how did you navigate them? A: One of the most significant challenges was addressing the diverse needs of the Indian community in Oman, which spans a wide spectrum of economic backgrounds. To overcome this, we worked closely with school management committees to ensure that every child's educational needs were met, regardless of the school's size or location. We also faced the task of providing quality education in remote areas, which led to the establishment of Indian School Duqm, the 22nd community school. This school now serves children from diverse nationalities, reinforcing our commitment to providing equitable education across Oman. Q: What lessons have you learned about effective governance in an educational institution? A: Effective governance in education requires a collaborative approach. Engaging all stakeholders - teachers, students, parents, and the wider community - helps in building a shared vision and maintaining transparency. It's crucial to adapt to changing circumstances, whether due to technological advances, policy shifts, or emerging educational needs. Ultimately, the key is data-driven decision-making, ensuring that actions are based on evidence and lead to measurable improvements. Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the school(s) in the coming years? A: The biggest challenges ahead will be embracing technological changes while ensuring that students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds have equal access to these advancements. Additionally, fostering inclusivity will remain critical as schools work to accommodate students with varying needs and abilities. Financial sustainability will also be an ongoing challenge, especially for schools in remote areas with limited resources. Lastly, we must continue to prioritise the mental health and well-being of students, ensuring that schools provide a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally. Q: What's next for you after stepping down from this role? A: I look forward to continuing my journey in academic leadership, focusing on research and contributing to higher education, particularly in the field of educational technology. I am committed to sharing my experiences and knowledge to support the growth of educational systems and to help shape the future of learning.
Times of Oman
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Dr. Sivakumar talks about fostering academic excellence under his leadership
Interviewing the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on his leadership, achievements, challenges, and vision for the future With over 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Sivakumar Manickam is deeply passionate about transforming learning environments and fostering academic excellence through his visionary leadership. His extensive career as an educational leader encompasses teaching, research, and administration, integrating innovative strategies with a steadfast commitment to quality are excerpts from the well-rounded discussion: Q: What were the key priorities when you first assumed the role of Chairman, and how have they evolved over your tenure? At the very outset, we salute the wise leadership of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said – may his soul rest in peace – whose benevolence was instrumental in starting the first Indian School in Muscat and whose generosity paved way for the establishment of 22 Indian Schools over the years. We pledge our allegiance to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and His Majesty's vision of a renewed renaissance for the Sultanate of Oman. Indian Schools in Oman are among the most successful community schools in the region. Despite the challenges of delivering the Indian curriculum outside India, their success is driven by the Board's visionary leadership, strong support from all stakeholders, and the unwavering guidance of the Ministry of Education, Sultanate of Oman, and the Embassy of India. Today, Indian Schools in Oman cater to the educational needs of more than 47,000 students. As community-driven schools, every child from the Indian Community is given admission and quality education is provided at a very affordable fee, which is sometimes much lower than the fee charged by schools in India even with fewer facilities. This is despite the fact that the fee collected by the schools is the only source of revenue; there is no institutional or government funding for the Indian Schools. When I assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in April 2021, we were in a period of recovery from the impact of COVID-19. The prolonged school closures had resulted in significant learning losses, affecting not only academics but also the financial stability of schools. Fortunately, on the academic front, we had ISOVLE—the first virtual learning environment—already in place. This enabled many Indian schools to transition seamlessly to online learning, ensuring that teaching, learning, and assessments continued without disruption. At the same time, we recognised the financial strain on families. In response, due consideration was given to affected parents regarding their children's fee payments. As Indian Schools operate as non-profit community institutions, our stakeholders came together to support this initiative, helping ease the burden on families during these challenging times Q: What are the most significant achievements of the Board under your leadership? Over the years, the Board has initiated a number of collaborative activities such as Indian Schools Talent Fest (ISTF), Indian Schools Film Fest (ISFF), Avenir (Career Guidance Programme), STAI (Science, Technology And Innovation), ISQUIZ, Mon Avis, etc. All these programmes are aimed at encouraging collaboration, communication, technology and critical thinking – the 21 st century skills for holistic development. Current Board ensured that these initiatives are continued as per the requirement and enhanced with all necessary improvements. With the advancement of technology, education has become borderless and globally accessible. One of the most notable e-learning tools is the Learning Management System that enhances the learning experience by helping teachers in planning, teaching and assessing the learning progress of students. The Indian Schools Virtual Learning Environment (ISOVLE) had pioneered online teaching even before the pandemic. The virtual platform developed and managed by the Board is now shared with the Schools intending to capacitate them to develop their own Learning Management System through ISOVLE without incurring any development cost. Training programmes are being organized to equip the VLE coordinators of Schools to manage, enhance and train other teachers to make use of the portal efficiently. Today most of the Indian Schools have a Virtual Learning Environment. The Board has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing Psychometric Assessments for Career Path Selection, helping students make informed decisions about their future studies and careers. To date, over 10,000 students have benefited from these assessments, receiving comprehensive reports on their aptitudes. Committed to supporting students' academic and professional growth, the Board offers these assessments free of charge to senior students of Indian Schools. Along with the above initiatives, the Board has also commenced the consolidation programs for its schools through the implementation of School Development Programs. Under this initiative, each school will establish a systematic approach to the governance of the school by charting out its journey to the next level of achievement. Towards this end, each school has reviewed its Vision and Mission and roll out an organized course of action within a specific time frame with appropriate accountability. These measures expected to assist all stakeholders to understand and support our schooling system in their respective roles in the most efficient manner. Another opportunity for the development of our schooling system that the Board initiated the implementation of the new National Education Policy as rolled out by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Under this policy, there are ample opportunities for learners and teachers to experience skill-based learning and teaching. It also envisages an active research-orientated approach at the school level which would be of great boost for the learners to sharpen their skills and help them to achieve greater academic pursuits. Q: What challenges did you face as Chairman, and how did you navigate them? The Indian diaspora is highly diverse in terms of needs, expectations, and affordability, making it challenging to cater to the educational requirements of all children within the community. To address this, our school management committees, comprising experts from the community and parents, play a crucial role in strengthening the schooling system. These committees establish a strong feedback loop between schools and the community, ensuring continuous improvement. Guided by the Ministry of Education of the Sultanate of Oman and the CBSE, India, we align our objectives with established educational standards. Indian schools vary significantly in scale, from smaller institutions with as few as 45 students (e.g., Masirah, Thumrait) to large capital city schools with over 8,000 students. While operating schools in remote areas presents challenges, the unwavering support of capital schools and the broader Indian school community ensures that children, regardless of location, receive an education on par with those in major schools. Beyond financial assistance, larger schools contribute by sharing learning resources and facilitating teacher development initiatives, fostering a more equitable and high-quality education system for all Indian students in Oman. Building on the strong foundation laid by previous Boards, we remain committed to taking our schools to the next level. The visionary philosophy established by our founding members continues to guide our progress, ensuring sustained growth and excellence across all domains. Q: What lessons have you learned about effective governance in an educational institution? Effective governance in an educational institution requires a balance of leadership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Some key lessons I've learned include: One of the most important lessons in effective governance is the value of collaboration and inclusivity, which involves engaging all stakeholders in the decision-making process, including administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the broader community. Additionally, transparency and communication are crucial, as being open about goals, challenges, and changes helps build trust and ensures alignment with the institution's vision and mission. As the education sector continues to evolve, adaptability and responsiveness become key. Being flexible and able to adjust strategies in response to changes in policy, technology, or student needs is essential for effective governance. While day-to-day operations are important, it's also critical to focus on long-term goals by setting a clear strategic direction and making decisions that align with the institution's mission and future needs. Lastly, data-driven decision-making is vital. Using data to evaluate performance, assess outcomes, and identify areas for improvement ensures that decisions are evidence-based and have a measurable impact. Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the school(s) in the coming years? The biggest challenges facing schools in the coming years will likely arise from a mix of external factors and internal growth needs. One of the key challenges will be adapting to technological advancements. With the rapid pace of technological innovation, schools will need to continuously incorporate new tools and digital learning platforms. This involves ensuring that both teachers and students are equipped with the necessary skills to use technology effectively while also addressing the risk of widening the digital divide among students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Another significant challenge will be ensuring inclusivity and equity. As schools become more diverse, meeting the needs of all students—regardless of their background, abilities, or challenges—will be crucial. This includes offering personalized learning pathways, supporting students with special needs, and creating an environment that fosters inclusivity, respect, and equity. Maintaining financial sustainability will also remain a critical issue, particularly for schools with limited budgets. Schools will need to find sustainable ways to maintain high educational standards, support infrastructure development, and attract skilled teachers. Exploring alternative funding sources, such as partnerships, grants, and alumni support, will be essential for securing financial stability. Lastly, mental health and well-being will continue to be a growing concern. Schools will need to focus on mental health support, creating a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically. This requires adequate training for staff, access to mental health resources, and strategies for fostering a positive school culture. Q: What's next for you after stepping down from this role? After stepping down from this honorary role, I look back with great satisfaction on my journey—from entering this schooling system as a teacher to leaving as Chairman of the Board. It has been a fulfilling experience to contribute to this wonderful system, and I am both satisfied and proud of the progress we have made together. Looking ahead, I will continue to pursue my passion for research and writing, particularly in the field of educational technology. I am committed to contributing to the academic community by sharing insights and advancing knowledge in areas that matter deeply to me. With my broad, multidisciplinary expertise, I remain dedicated to improving the higher education system and making meaningful contributions to its growth and development.
