DAMMAM — The Council of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Affiliated Schools, Saudi Chapter organized a one-day orientation workshop for vice principals, section heads and other senior officials of CBSE affiliated schools in the Kingdom. The workshop was conducted at International Indian School Dammam (IIS Dammam). It was for the first time that CBSE had organized such an innovative program for the middle level management. The workshop was a basically a brain-storming session based around the theme “Middle Level Managers are Key to Strengthen School Effectiveness.” Over 75 senior officials from different Indian Schools in the Kingdom attended the workshop. Abdulla Manjeri, academic coordinator of IIS Dammam's managing committee, inaugurated the workshop and Dr. Syed Hameed, principal of International Indian School, Jubail and the chapter convener, presided over the inaugural function. Manjeri urged school officials to take the lead in motivating the teachers to shift from the traditional “tongue and ear” approach of teaching and learning to that of active and participatory learning, and move from teacher directed to self-designed and self-directed learning. Six sessions were held where various heads spoke on key issues: School principal of International Indian School Jeddah Syed Masood Ahmed's topic was “Motivation of the Staff – Need of the Hour, Principal and Head of IIS Dammam Dr. E K Mohammed Shaffe shed light on “Types of Leadership and Leadership Roles,” Principal of International Indian School Jubail Dr. Syed Hameed spoke on the “Daily Routine of Section Heads and Vice Principals – CBSE Guidelines,” Corporate Human Resources Program Manager of Zamil Group Holding Company Srinivasan Ramamurthy's delivered his speech on “On Interpersonal and Human Resources Management,” and the participating vice principals and section heads spoke on “My Success Anecdotes.” The workshop concluded with an “Open House” participated by all the attendees who shared their thoughts on the workshop. They opined that the sessions were so useful as it provided them with guidance on being pro-active and successful. Shaffe coordinated the event. Lt Col J A Rocque, principal in-charge of girls' section welcomed the gathering and introduced the participants. Mahenaz Fareed anchored the proceedings. — SG
