Transfering Meena to regain lost glory of Indian shaikhs
Sacked Indian School President in Dubious Land Deal
May 8, 2003 One of the Indian School Presidents who was removed from the school management committee by the Patron has been allegedly involved in a dubious land deal, which appears to be against the interest of the school and community. According to school sources, the controversial land deal to construct a multipurpose hall for one of the largest Indian community schools in the Gulf has been objected to by the school Internal auditor and a member of the School Infrastructure Committee. While the running market rate for land in the areas adjacent to the school is around RO 45 to RO 50 per square meter, the School President has negotiated for a premium price of RO 130 per square meter - at least 100 per cent inflated rate.
According to the school management committee sources, even though a two member Infrastructure Committee was authorized to negotiate the deal, the school president, who is one of the members in the Infrastructure committee, did the deal on his own and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the private party. He has also paid an advance to the private party. According to sources close to the school management committee, every financial transaction in school matters should have at least two authorized signatories. This deal shows how much transparency has been introduced in the functioning of Indian community schools.
Crocodiles Tear about Sacking of Board Members
Visruthan -rewarded with new role
Why should a section of the Indian community shed crocodile's tear about removing such members from the school Presidents post. Even though these board members represented the Indian community schools in the board, they often argue in favour of private schools which charge 100 per cent more fee than the community schools. When some of the board members raised the issue of fee reduction, this respected member strongly opposed the move and identified himself with the private school lobby. It may be mentioned here that the Indian School Darsait, which was under the presidentship of Mr.Visruthan, has set a standard for the other community schools by reducing the fees. A recent circular to the parents indicate that Indian school Darsait will reduce fees further. KM appreciates such positive steps taken by Mr.Visruthan and the patron should be congratulated for promoting such a person to the board of directors. A slight reduction in fees or caution deposit will bring great relief to ordinary parents and they should realize the importance of Patrons decision to push for further fee reduction.
Dr.Sathish Nambiar
Why Should some people grumble now when board members who completed two years in office are removed as per the rules? Dr.Sathish Nambiar has been given a two-year term by the patron during which he simply did nothing much for the cause of education or welfare of Indian community. Dr. Nambiar is a well-known head of the Indian Social Club for the last one decade. Being a representative of the common parents, he should have supported moves to reduce school fees or the moves to rectify some of the past mistakes. With all due credit to his positive contributions to the Indian community. Does a member who always supported the private businessmen to charge as high as RO 42 per month against the Indian community school fee of RO 20 plus should be rewarded with two more years of membership in the school board? Dr. Nambiar has already done enough social service to the Indian community and his recent reelection to the ISC Chairmanship is a mark of respect for his contribution. Don't we remember that the patron threw out many board members because they were occupying the same position for 10 to 15 years. There are some clever members who have been riding two boats simultaneously.
No comments about Sandeep Arora, chairman of the School board, who has been facing a difficult situation and job loss ever since he assumed the thorny position of Indian school board chairmanship. Recent reshuffle and expansion of the Indian school board and school management committee should be seen as a positive step because these bodies have been filled with sycophants of business houseses and private interests. While the two private schools had at least four representatives on the main school board, the Indian community schools had only less representation. Ironically enough, while the functioning of all Indian community schools come under the scrutiny of the board members from private schools, the activities of private schools are not subjected to board supervision!
While all the Indian community schools have to present their audited accounts to the board and patron, the private schools are excepted for unknown reasons. The largest private school has not produced an audited balance sheet at least for the last three years. Did the patron commit any mistake by asking the school to comply with the rules and reduce fee? Everything has been structured in such a way as to serve the interest of two Indian businessmen. While the Indian community school norms in Oman clearly bar Omani citizens from sponsoring or running Indian community schools, one school has been running under the direct control of a leading businessman. Nobody in the board knew what is the status of the three private schools functioning?
It is time for the Indian community to see that the real motive behind the crocodiles tear shed by a section of business leaders is to keep their tight control over the functioning of Indian schools. The patron, who is one of the first ambassadors ever to demand a reduction in the inflated school fees and encourage community schools has faced enough harassment, mental torture, court cases, hate campaign and even racial discrimination in the last two years. Some of the arrogant and self proclaimed Shaikhs of Indian community have been worried about the loss of huge revenue that they generate through private schools, which are in fact community schools. Secret Memorandums of Understandings signed by former ambassadors with three businessmen speak volumes about their credentials. A close scrutiny of these documents indicates that such agreements have been drafted against the Indian community interests. These documents were not produced before the local Education Ministries for self- revealing reasons.
KM does not support domination of school board or committees with representatives of the Indian Embassy or private businessmen. These should be representative bodies working for the cause of education. Ambassadors will come and go but there should be a common and transparent mechanism for the smooth running of schools. The patron has not violated any rules and followed the local education rules governing the running of Community schools.
These Indian sheikhs are strong enough to get an ambassador who works against their business interests recalled or thrown out from his position! And that is happening now…At this critical time when even the board and committee members appointed by the patron are changing their affiliations. KM stands by K.M.Meena for his bold initatives and courage to question the Indian Shaikhs and their covert exploitation of the ordinary parents. -- Editor, Kerala Monitor.com
- Why the Brahmins and Shaikhs Could not Tolerate a Backward Class Ambassador? Watch this space.
