DAMMAM, 2 December 2004 — Koya Anarchirayil, the former chairman of the managing committee of International Indian School, Dammam, has been stripped of his membership. It is the first time in Saudi Arabia that any elected member of an Indian school committee has been removed from office.

A letter from the Director of Parallel Education, Abdullah Al-Hadba to the new chairman, Dr. Syed Ahmed Ali, terminated Anarchirayil’s tenure citing that he had failed to comply with the decision of the Higher Board on the appointment of the principal.

Anarchirayil was the chairman until the end of last month and represented the IISD at Higher Board meetings. In January 2004, the Higher Board appointed Khwaja Iftikhar as the principal of the school. The meeting chaired by Anarchirayil, voted for Iftikhar by a majority of eight to one.

Ten months after the decision, his letter of appointment is yet to be sent, during which time the Higher Board reminded Anarchirayil to comply with the decision. Anarchirayil chose not to do so.

Initially no specific reasons were given for the delay. Later, rumor circulated that Iftikhar had “certain political leanings” and hence it was not advisable to appoint him as principal.

Iftikhar was perceived as being involved with the then ruling alliance. Anarchirayil had highlighted this issue in meetings but the Higher Board felt that this was irrelevant, as Iftikhar was selected solely on merit by a five-member interview board. Anarchirayil was also a member of that board. When contacted, Anarchirayil said that he accepted the decision of the ministry and would abide by that.

“I have no regrets over my decision not to issue the letter as I see Mr. Khwaja as one who has political inclinations,” he added. Anarchirayil thanked all those who supported and helped him during his tenure.

One member of the managing committee confided that this decision will go a long way in determining the authority of the Higher Board. “This decision gives some teeth to the Higher Board and should have come a few months earlier.”

One parent, Shaiq Ahmed, felt that the current managing committee had got so involved in their infighting that the school was beginning to suffer.

“No positive steps have been taken and the issue of the principal has been dragging for such a long time that parents are worried that a stage may come where the school may be without a principal”, said Shaiq.