GEMS teacher with 44 years of service dies after battling long illness
Palestinian Omran had recently retired as Arabic supervisor after 44 years of service
The longest-serving teacher for UAE-based GEMS Education passed away on Thursday after a long illness.
Zakiya Omran, originally from Palestine, had recently retired as an Arabic Supervisor from Our Own English High School Sharjah (OOEHS Sharjah), after serving more than 44 years at GEMS Education, the UAE’s largest private school group.
Omran passed away with her family by her side. She was 69.
Sunny Varkey, chairman and founder, GEMS Education, said: “Our deepest condolences go out to Zakiya’s family. She was a big part of the GEMS Education community and a pillar of our society. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.”
Asma Gilani, principal of the Indian-curriculum OOEHS Sharjah, said Omran had joined GEMS as a young Arabic teacher in 1972 at its first school
in Bastakiya, Dubai. In 1991, Omran joined OOEHS Sharjah, which teaches 8,000 students.
Gilani said: “We will forever be indebted to her for her valuable contributions in ensuring Arabic became an integral part of every students’ life. She was a passionate teacher who was respected by all. Our hearts go out to her family.”
Helping expats learn Arabic
Gilani said Omran’s contributions towards helping expat students learn Arabic were immense. “When we had school inspections, the officials were really surprised our students spoke Arabic so well. [Omran] would also prepare CDs for Zakiya Omran, a Palestinian, came to Dubai in 1972 and worked for Mariamma Varkey, Sunny Varkey’s mother, at Our Own English High School Dubai (OOEHS). She later worked at Cambridge International School, Dubai, where she was head of the Arabic department before moving to OOEHS Sharjah, where she served as Arabic supervisor.
parents of primary school students,” Gilani said.
She added that Omran was the first one to bring out an Arabic newsletter — Ajial Elghad — in an Indian school. She also directed an Arabic school play called Al Masera to inspire children to read and speak in Arabic.
Omran was also very supportive of colleagues and school staff, who would be comfortable in sharing any personal issues with her, Gilani added.
“She was a great leader, she had a big department of teachers. She mentored and guided them regularly and despite her illness she would come to school with fortitude and a very positive spirit.”