The Indian School Bahrain to Bid Farewell to Principal VR Palaniswamy
The Indian School will accord a grand farewell to its Principal VR Palaniswamy on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Jashanmal Auditorium, marking the retirement of the longest-serving Principal in the institution’s history. With a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in the field of education, Mr. Palaniswamy has dedicated his life to nurturing young minds, empowering teachers, and strengthening educational institutions. His association the ISB began on January 1, 2001, and over the next twenty-five years, he emerged as one of the most influential leaders in the school’s history.During his tenure at the ISB, Mr. Palaniswamy served as Head of the Department for eight years, Vice-Principal for two years, and Principal for an extraordinary fifteen years.
A highly accomplished educator, Mr. Palaniswamy has received some of the most prestigious honours in the teaching profession. He was conferred the CBSE National Teacher Award in 2007 by the Government of India and received the National Award to Teachers from the President of India in 2011. Earlier, he was honoured with the Best Teacher Award by the Lions Club of Madras, Teynampet, in 1999 and by the Madras Metropolitan Chapter of Y’s Men International Club in 2000. Academically, he holds postgraduate qualifications in Mathematics and Science Education and an M.Phil. in Education. He is an alumnus of the Regional Institute of Education, Mysore, a constituent institution of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and is also a member of the American Mathematical Society. Mr. Palaniswamy is a respected author who has contributed extensively to Mathematics education through the publication of numerous textbooks for CBSE and ICSE curricula. His works include seventeen textbooks for Classes I to XII, among them five published by Orient Longman. His commitment to quality education was reflected in his successful completion of Internal Auditor training for ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems.
Among his notable achievements was his instrumental role in securing UNESCO affiliation for the school, creating valuable opportunities for international collaboration, cultural exchange, and global learning. He also introduced the Bharat Scouts and Guides movement at ISB, promoting leadership, discipline, service, and responsible citizenship among students. Widely recognised for his expertise in examination administration, Mr. Palaniswamy successfully oversaw the conduct of several prestigious national entrance examinations, including JEE, NEET, CUET, and the VIT Engineering Entrance Examination, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Beyond the school, he contributed significantly to the educational community across the Gulf region. He served as Secretary of CBSE Gulf Sahodaya during 2021–2022 and as Chairman of the CBSE Gulf Council during 2022–2023, fostering collaboration and educational excellence among CBSE schools in the region. One of the crowning achievements of his tenure came in 2025 when the ISB received a commendable “Good” rating from the Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority.
Mr. Palaniswamy is married to Mrs. Chandra Palaniswamy. They have a son, Dr. Sandeep Kumar. He hails from Bagavati Nagar in Erode District, Tamil Nadu. He moved to Chennai in 1983 and has been settled there ever since.
As an educator, author, mentor, administrator, innovator, and leader, Mr. Palaniswamy has left an indelible mark on thousands of students, teachers, and members of the wider community. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Posted on 27 June 2026