Shaping Young Minds, Building Futures: The Inspiring Journey of Ms. Asha Sharma

Thursday, February 20, 2025

With an illustrious career spanning over five decades, Ms Asha Sharma stands as a beacon of dedication, wisdom, and leadership in the field of education. As a visionary principal, she has transformed the academic landscape of numerous schools across India and Kuwait, leaving an indelible mark on generations of students and educators. Her tenure as a principal across multiple institutions for over 30 years is a testament to her unwavering commitment to fostering excellence, discipline, and innovation in education.

Over the course of her academic tenure, Ms.Sharma has adeptly navigated challenges such as adapting to advancements in technology during unforeseen disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. Her proactive approach, including the swift implementation of online learning platforms, ensured that education went on uninterrupted. Ms. Sharma has focussed on a robust academic framework, building a team of dedicated educators , thus fostering their professional growth through continuous training and mentoring and also introducing a transparent and efficient administrative system to ensure smooth operations within her capacity.

Ms. Sharma’s journey to Kuwait began after 18 years of dedicated service as Senior Head Mistress at the prestigious Delhi Public School (DPS) in Mathura Road, Noida, and Raipur. It was the late Shri Thomas Chandy, then Chairman of Indian Central School (ICS), who invited her to Kuwait as the founding principal of ICS.

Shifting from an elite school with a sprawling campus to a more compact environment in Kuwait was a challenge. Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Sharma recalls, “In 1994, I arrived in Kuwait with high expectations, leaving behind posh schools in Delhi. However, the reality was starkly different. The schools bore the scars of the Iraqi invasion, making the transition even more challenging.”

Ms. Sharma is the founding principal of three CBSE schools in Kuwait. After serving ICS for over 12 years, she became the founding principal of Bhavans Kuwait Indian Educational School, where she served for four years before establishing her own institution, Indian Learners Own Academy. Her dedication to education and leadership has played a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s growth and success. Under her guidance, the school has become synonymous with academic rigor and cultural vibrancy.

“The then CBSE Chairman had great faith in me and insisted that I start the first CBSE-i school in Kuwait,” she shares. Leveraging her international principal training from London and Miami, she played a key role in shaping the CBSE-i syllabus. However, with changes in government policies, the international curriculum was discontinued, leading them to adopt the standard CBSE syllabus. Despite these challenges, Ms. Sharma takes pride in the school’s stellar academic achievements. “Since our inception, we have maintained exemplary results. We have had no failures or compartment students, producing not only Kuwait toppers but also Gulf toppers in a short span of time.”

Ms. Sharma’s approach to education goes beyond traditional teaching. She emphasizes cultivating a love for learning among students. “My shift from a 20+ acre campus with high-end facilities, including horse riding and a swimming pool, to a small school campus in Kuwait was eye-opening. But I believe in making the best of what we have. The right attitude of teachers can make students love coming to school—even on holidays.”

However, she acknowledges the challenge of limited sports facilities in Indian schools in Kuwait. “Despite lacking infrastructure, our students achieve remarkable success in CBSE sports meets. While Dubai schools may have better facilities, our students’ dedication speaks volumes.”

Ms. Sharma believes in holistic development. “We have 3 to 4 CBSE national champions in our school.I am not taking the full credit as their parents also gave them the best by making them join private sports academy and provide them with better facilities, they took them out to all events. My part is to ensure they don’t fall behind academically. It’s a collaborative effort between school and home. However when a national champion tells that I am from Learners Own Academy, that is a great feeling,"

She also highlights the financial struggles faced by some students. “There’s a misconception that all NRIs are leading a rich life. I have always strived to support students who cannot afford their fees, working with organizations like ‘Vidya Dan Trust’ to provide assistance. During my tenure at ICS, we waived around 10% of the fees for students, who couldn’t afford to pay.”

Ms.Sharma has been deeply committed to fostering a strong relationship between the school and the community. She has collaborated with parents to create an inclusive and support learning environment. Ms. Sharma emphasizes that student success is a two-way process requiring both school and parental involvement. “Some parents believe that only schools can make a difference, but education is a joint responsibility. A major concern here is the frequent shifting of schools, which negatively impacts students. Parents should trust the school and allow time for positive changes.”

Parents should actively contribute to their child's overall growth. “When I brought a clinical counselor to my school for students' benefit, out of more than 120 students, only 10 attended the session to discover their aptitudes. This was quite surprising.”

She further shares her concern about missed opportunities for personality development. “I have written multiple times about 'Toastmasters,' an organization dedicated to nurturing communication and leadership skills. I have nothing to gain from it, yet I offer them free space in my school to conduct their sessions. Still, many parents are unwilling to invest a few dinars to enrol their children. This reluctance is truly puzzling.”

As a career counsellor, she often guides students based on their strengths. However, she notes that parental pressure often overrides a child’s aptitude. “Many parents impose their unfulfilled dreams on their children. I have seen doctor parents pushing their kids to become doctors or engineer parents wanting their ward to become Engineers, even when they lack interest in the field. I feel that it is not necessary that a Doctor’s child should pursue only Medicine. This kind of pressure might harm the student’s future.”

“Follow your passion,” Ms. Sharma advises. “Excel in the subjects you love rather than struggling in subjects that don’t interest you, but others enforce you. Pursuing what you enjoy will always lead to success.”

Ms. Sharma’s contributions to education have earned her numerous accolades. She is one of only six principals to receive the prestigious Mentor Award from CBSE, presented by then-Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani. She was also honored with the President’s Award in 2007 by President Smt. Pratibha Patil. She was Awarded by European council association and Asianet News added another feather in her cap by honoring her with the ‘Best Edupreneur Award’ in 2024.

Ms. Sharma was also given the responsibility to inspect two schools for upgradation (Don Bosco, Kuwait) and affiliation (Kuwait Indian School, Kuwait) respectively by CBSE board.

Beyond education, she has a passion for writing, having contributed columns to various publications and authored academic books for CBSE. “I now wish to serve as an advisor to other schools and help them grow,” she expresses.

As an epitome of resilience, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to education, Ms. Asha Sharma’s remarkable journey continues to inspire the next generation of educators and learners. Students, staff and parents alike commend her approachability , ability and leadership style inspiring those around her.Her vision and perseverance will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

By:

IIK Staff Reporter

Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the article are those of the authors and written by them; the author is solely responsible for the content in this article. IndiansinKuwait.com does not hold any responsibility for them.

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Kiran Kant Friday, February 28, 2025 We know Ms Asha Sharma from 1994 when she was overcoming the initial challenges of handling school performance up gradation in a foreign soil where asians are not highly regarded. While I took my teaching internship training under her guidance, I also had the privilege of meeting her family outside school as a friend. Ms Sharma is not only a good academician with impeccable teaching and governance record, she is also a very gentle human being who loves to spend time with her family, work as a housewife , cooking and serving her family members with all humility. She is also a good friend and a beautiful company. I can go on and on, but believe that we have been blessed with gift from God in the form of a mentor, friend and companion and wish her all the best in furure life.
Archna Jain Monday, February 24, 2025 Asha ma''am It has been my privilege to have been groomed under your able guidance in my early years of teaching career. Your dedication, diligence, strong disposition, perseverance and go getting attitude is worth emulating for all of us. Your bewitching smile gives you an additional mile. May you have many more wonderful active years to bring advantage to your Learners and Educators.
Leena Caroline Stanislaus Monday, February 24, 2025 Dear Asha Ma’am Congratulations !!!!! I’m so happy and proud that I was shaped into a Better Teacher under your guidance. Those Few Years at ILOA ,I still remember with a smile . In the beginning I used to say it’s too much but later on I found out that everything U made us do was your special way of teaching and guiding us through action. It bettered us in all directions. And the best thing I’m so proud about U is through those Covid years U gave us -Teachers-SALARIES. It meant a lot to many of Us , no to all of Us. Thank U Ma’am. Stay Blessed Love Leena. I Love U ILOA 💕
Annie Jane Doreen Lobo Sunday, February 23, 2025 Dear Ma''am,🙏 Ms. Asha Sharma, It is with immense gratitude and admiration Working in your esteemed school has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. You not only provided an environment where learning and growth flourished but also instilled in me the confidence, discipline, and passion that define me as a Teacher and Counsellor today. Your unwavering dedication to education, your ability to recognize and nurture potential, and your relentless pursuit of excellence have inspired countless individuals, including myself. You did not just teach; you shaped futures, touched hearts, and built a legacy of strong, confident, and compassionate individuals who continue to carry forward your vision. As I reflect on my journey, I realize that so much of what I have achieved stems from the foundation you laid. The lessons I learned under your guidance—both inside and outside the classroom—continue to guide me, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities, wisdom, and encouragement you provided. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Your contributions to education are truly extraordinary, and I feel blessed to have been a part of your incredible institution. May your journey continue to inspire and shape many more lives, just as you did mine. With deepest respect and heartfelt gratitude, Annie Jane Lobo
Baljit Singh Sunday, February 23, 2025 An excellent write up on Ms Asha Sharma.We have met her from the time she came to Kuwait till 2018 .its an incredible journey made without any show of her skills , made with modesty , and dedication . It’s true her earlier stint in Kuwait was with heavy constraints from put in by different profit oriented owners with very little care of child development. It’s this frustrations which led her to remove these shackles and start her own Indian Learner’s Academy. Hats off to her for her single minded efforts to make Indian Learner’s Academy a shining example of teacher student parent relationship to make children capable leaders of tomorrow with social responsibilities and care. God bless. Ms Asha Sharma .
Hidayatullah Abdus Samad Sunday, February 23, 2025 Had never been able to personally meet Ms. Asha, but had heard much about her guidance in teaching students. Wishing her always to lead our students & give, share her best advice always !

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