DAMMAM, 18 November 2003 — The management of the International Indian School here is once again plagued by allegations of internal feud and favoritism. It has been more than 16 months since the elected managing committee took over the affairs of the school. Since then the situation has been deteriorating. The only solace is the school’s consistently high academic record, in which the managing committee has little or no say.
In the last few weeks, the managing committee has been divided over the election of a new chairman and the appointment of a new principal.
The new chairman was eventually elected after rumors of horse trading and lucrative promises. But it was the appointment of new principal that caused the most upset.
The controversy began early this month when some members of the managing committee insisted that the application of the present vice principal for the post of principal be accepted “on special grounds.” Managing committee members say the vice principal is not qualified for the post and that exceptions were made to accept his application. The present principal, who is already on extension, had early this year asked to be relieved. An advertisement was placed in all the leading newspapers in India for the post, saying the applicant should have “a minimum of five years experience as a principal in a reputed institution affiliated to the CBSE or a public school.”
However, some members of the managing committee started lobbying for the vice principal arguing that an “internal candidate” should be given a chance. A member of the managing committee admitted to Arab News on condition of anonymity that the vice principal was not qualified for the job but supported his candidature purely because he believed that local candidate should be given an opportunity. But he said if he were in the selection committee he would not select him for the post.
Another member of the managing committee, who opposes the vice principal’s candidature, says that normally such exceptions are made when either there are not enough applicants or the candidate has some other exceptional qualifications. “None of these factors were the reason for accepting his application. It was simply the whim of a few members who were motivated by self-interest,” he said.
Last week the managing committee met and voted on the issue. The motion was carried in favor of the vice principal with dissenting votes. Apparently the new chairman, Koya A., insists on including the vice principal’s application.
Supporters of the vice principal’s candidature say that they are only accepting the application and appointment will be made by the selection committee.