MUSCAT - December 16, 2002 KM learns that Oman's Ministry of Education has finally approved the removal of three prominent Non Resident Indians from the Indian School Board. According to board sources, the names of former chairman and two board members are removed from the final members list approved by the Ministry. The crucial decision is a turning point in the functioning of Indian schools because despite a long delay and strong opposition from different quarters, the patron's decision to terminate the board members who allegedly acted against the community interest is approved by the local authorities.

The former chairman has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court aginst the Indian Ambassador in Muscat challenging his right to terminate the board chairman or board members. Now that the sacking order is approved by Oman's Government, what turn will the High Court Petition in New Delhi take? According to one report, the current (or former?) Chairman of Board of Directors who was appointed in November 2001 completed his one year tenure in November 2002. " The constitution of Indian Schools approved by Ministry of Education provides the Office bearers of Board to hold the office for one year duration." However, the report is silent whether he will continue to retain his board membership, which is normally for two years. The "neutral" report is also silent about the approval for removing other board members.

The local authorities had earlier approved the patrons decision not to allow a new private school to come up in Seeb. The Ministry of Education has also upheld the principle that diplomats should not directly interefere in the school functioning. -keralamoitor.com

KM is Older than the School Controversy. Not anybody's Mouthpiece

KM has been reporting Indian community issues before the current Indian Ambassador assumed office. The Indian School board has not been functioning for the last several months due to the tug of war between the school patron and influencial members of the Indian community. It is easy to blame the ambassador's so called "stubborn" approach for the delay in convening the school board. However, everybody should have a self introspection about the whole issue and come to terms with the ground reality before the dispute start affecting the normal functioning of Indian schools Influence or money power will succeed many a times, but not always. Rich businessman can send "Deewali gifts" to New Delhi and get things done in their favour. They can silence ambassadors, journalists or any others . If you accept their "Deewali" gift offers or invitation for "Ayurvedic Massages" you are in their good books. Otherwise you become nasty, brutish and rude.

Even though KM has details about the dirty role played by some of the influencial members of Indian community to delay the process, we are not going into details because our mission is to highlight serious issues which affect the day to day life of common parents. Unlike others, we do not indulge in character assassination campaigns against specific individuals, as is done by you know who?. For us any decision for a reduction in fees or abandoning of caution deposit is a welcome step. As long as the Indin Ambassador's policies help the parents, teachers and students, KM will support such policies.

Now we would urge our readers to recollect our reports about the former Indian Ambassador or the current Indian Ambassador in Iran. They clearly show that we are neither supporting nor opposing any individuals or powerful bureaucrats We will editorially support any ambassadors or board members as long as their policies help ordinary parents and teachers. In crucial issue, everybody knows where KM stands? Now that the ambassador is engaged in a legal tussle in New Delhi, focus is turning back to silence others? -keralamoitor.com

CONSTITUTION OF INDIAN SCHOOLS

Sack the Omani Watchman of Indian School

A board member visits an Indian School to attend a board meeting. He wrongly parks the car in front of the school premises, blocking traffick in the congested place. The Omani watchman who noticed the traffic rule violation ultimately calls the police to remove the vehicle. May be the Omani watchman did not know that the car was parked by an influencial Indian school board member who was busy attending the meeting.

The Board member turns furious and want the Omani employee of the Indian school sacked on the spot! After sometimes, the watchman noticed that another board member who was arguing for his removal doing the same mistake. He immediately tried to call the police once again! So far nobody could sack the school watchman for doing his duty rightly. Now the same board member has been sacked. Is it an example of natural justice? reap what you ...? Influencial people talk about getting the ambassador or the journalist sacked jsut like that. Their modern management policy justifies overnight sacking of teachers, journalists, ambassadors or even an Omani watchman with their "influence" keralamoitor.com