JMIAA Riyadh and IISR holds interactive session for senior teachers

By TCN News,

New Delhi: In conjunction with the Indian International School Riyadh (IISR), Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, Riyadh Chapter, organized an interactive session for senior IISR teachers in Riyadh recently (April 13) to “share educational expertise of the visiting Jamia faculty with the school staff to enable them to benefit from the knowledge base and practical experience of the eminent educationists from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.”


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At the outset IISR Principal Dr. Shaukat Parwez welcomed the guests. He underscored the importance of education for both males and females. He said that women could participate in public life as borne out in the life of women during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He thanked JMIAA Riyadh President Mr. Ghizal Mahdi for taking the initiative of making available the guests of the association to the school and creating an opportunity for interaction with the teaching staff of the school. The principal introduced the distinguished resource persons: Mr. Abdul Naseeb Khan, Principal of Jamia Senior Secondary School and Dr. Zubair Meenai, Professor, Department of Social Work at Jamia Millia Islamia. IISR Principal honored each guest with a souvenir card.


L-R: Zafar Bari, Abdul Naseeb Khan, Dr Shafee Sattar, Prinicpal Shaukat Parvez, Professor Zubair Meenai, Dr Dilshad Ahmed, Ghizal Mahdi.
L-R: Zafar Bari, Abdul Naseeb Khan, Dr Shafee Sattar, Prinicpal Shaukat Parvez, Professor Zubair Meenai, Dr Dilshad Ahmed, Ghizal Mahdi.

Addressing the teachers Mr. Abdul Naseeb Khan said that teachers continue to learn. Hence they are students as well. Teachers are the agents of change. They bring a revolution in society. They are the most important elements in the school. Teachers must have certain characteristics: they must be trustworthy, truthful, and touchstone of quality. He said teachers should inspire their students and bring out the best in them. They should teach their students the art of living together. They should respect the individuality of each child. Mr. Khan asserted that training sessions should be held regularly to keep the teachers up-to-date with the latest developments in training technology. He also stressed on peer-to-peer exchange of expertise, whereby teachers could demonstrate their teaching skills and share it with other teachers. Mr. Khan also stressed that teachers should be paid well so that they are able to meet their needs.

Professor Zubair Meenai, who has been closely associated with the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research (CECDR) at Jamia Millia Islamia, shared his insight about psychological and social aspects of managing classrooms. He said that teachers must ask themselves: Is my class inclusive and diverse? From which linguistic backgrounds do children come from? What are their learning Styles? Do they learn better by listening, watching, or experiencing? Are there any learning disabilities among students? Does any child face visual, auditory, or any other challenges? For example is a child suffering from color blindness? Is the child hyperactive? What is the nutritional status of children? This is important because better nutrition is correlated with better cognition. He urged teachers to hear all voices in the classroom and devise their teaching strategies accordingly.

The two guests took questions from the participating teachers on various topics including ways to strike a balance between English language teaching and promotion of mother tongue.

Dr. Asma Shah, Vice Principal of IISR Girls Section raised the vote of thanks. She also thanked Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association for this initiative. The program was conducted by Mrs Farha Tazeen.


Dias of the Interactive Session

In addition to IISR Managing Committee Academic Representatives Dr. Dilshad Ahmed and Dr. Shafee Sattar, present on the occasion were JMIAA Riyadh Vice President Mohammad Ghaysuddin, Treasurer Mr. Abdul Rahman, Ex-President Mr. Khursheed Anwar, Ex-General Secretary Zafar Bari, and Mr. Wasiullah.

After the program JMIAA delegation held a meeting with the school Principal in which ways to enhance cooperation between JMIAA and the school were discussed.

Mr Abdul Naseeb Khan and Professor Zubair Meenai graced the annual meet of JMIAA – A Jamia Campus across the Sea – as the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour. The event was held in Riyadh on 11 Apr 2014.

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