The International Indian School-Dammam (IISD), one of the largest schools in the world with over 17,000 students and 1,000 staff members, celebrated its 31st Foundation Day at a colorful ceremony recently.

Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao was the chief guest and his wife Asiya the guest of honor.

In his address, Rao said he was proud that the school’s management, parents and staff had done a good job at running the institution and maintaining academic standards over the past two years.

Rao reminded the members of the governing body that they should be transparent, objective and accountable to the Indian community.

In his welcoming speech, M. Thirunavukkarasu, chairman of the school managing committee, outlined various achievements over the past year including the school signing a new lease agreement for the girls section until 2025. He said the school had also obtained work permits for several teachers on dependent visas with the help of the Ministry of Education. The school honored several long-serving teachers including Mariyu Sageer, headmistress of the Boys Middle Section who completed 30 years of service, and Mohammed Ismail, headmaster of the Upper Primary Boys Section for completing 20 years. Twenty other teachers were felicitated for completing 10 years of their services.

E.K. Mohammed Shaffe, principal and head of the institution, presented the annual school report and Lt. Col. J.A. Rocque, principal in-charge, proposed the vote of thanks.

Teacher guide Tamkeen Majida, and Masters Sanjay Abraham Koshi and Sarmad Ahmad compered the event.

Awad Al-Maliki, deputy director of foreign education at the Education Ministry, was also present at the event.