GEMS New Millennium School Celebrates “Indian Teachers' Day”

Students at GEMS New Millenium School in Dubai have taken the opportunity to surprise their teachers on Indian Teacher’s Day, 5th September. The annual celebration of Indian teachers was launched in 1962 by the then-President of India, Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of the most distinguished Indian scholars of the 20th century who famously said ‘Teachers should be the best minds in the country’.

On Sunday, older students at the school planned a surprise celebration and tribute event of gratitude for all 110 of the school’s teachers, while students in Grade XI took over the lessons for the rest of the school for 45 minutes from 10:30am.

Commenting on the occasion, Fatima Martin, CEO/Principal of GEMS New Millennium School, said: “The celebration of their teachers in a one-hour show on Indian Teachers’ Day was the brainchild of the students and they kept it a secret until today. They worked on this for a month during their summer holidays. We had everything – tribute speeches, amazing videos, a quiz, a gentle comedy sketch about the school, slam poetry honouring the teachers, and some amazing music and singing. The teaching staff were simply blown away by the show and meanwhile our Grade 11 students were handling the lessons for all 110 of our teachers for a 45-minute period. It was a day that none of us will ever forget.

“The icing on the cake was that our friends from Calcutta Emmanuel School were able to join us virtually too and we heard live from their Director, Ms Anita George.”

Michael Guzder, Vice-President of Education, GEMS Education: “If teachers are revered and highly respected anywhere in the world , it is definitely in India and in Indian schools in different countries of the world.

India has been celebrating September 5 as Teachers’ Day since 1962, to honour Dr Radhakrishnan , the second President of the country whose birthday was that day. His remarkable approach towards education in general and students in particular made this day into one when teachers were celebrated and honoured.

“It is a day of gratitude and respect, and even in the UAE where we have a large number of Indian schools, Teachers’ day is a joyous occasion with some pupils taking over the administration of the school for the day and organising special assemblies, variety entertainment programmes, football, basketball or cricket exhibition matches, where staff play against pupils, and the like. Although gifts are not encouraged, teachers are usually presented with small tokens of appreciation. Staff and pupils alike enjoy a relaxed day of fun and the bonding and mutual respect makes it a day to remember.”

Advik Unni, Head Boy, said: “The teachers at NMS give us so much in terms of their time, skills and dedication and this was a golden chance for us to offer something back for them. Just seeing the smiles on their faces was enough for us.”

Head Girl Keerthana Nair added: “It was worth all the hard work of the Grade 12 and 11 students in preparing both the celebration of our teachers and taking over the classes. The young students also played their part too – they behaved impeccably for their stand-in ‘teachers’ who learned a little themselves about what it is like taking charge of classes for a session.”

Teacher Stella Laus, who teaches Marketing and Political Science at NMS, added: “The show was absolutely electrifying and I think I speak for all my fellow teachers when I say that we are both elated and exuberant after such a heartfelt tribute from our students. They have inspired us all to offer even more for our calling.”