Dubai school plans scholarship in memory of teacher after 33 years of service

Gems Education, a Dubai-based school group, plans to establish the Anjana Sanalkumar Memorial Scholarship in memory of a long-serving teacher who dedicated 33 years to the Westminster School. Ms Sanalkumar, a teacher and examination officer, passed away on Wednesday, though the cause of her death remains undisclosed. The school announced her death via social media and a letter to the Gems community from group chief executive Dino Varkey, who expressed his profound loss and tribute to Ms Sanalkumar's decades of teaching and the relationships she forged with colleagues.

The Westminster School has invited past and present pupils, teachers, and colleagues to express their tributes to Ms Sanalkumar on the school's Instagram page. A memorial service will be live-streamed on Thursday at 3pm, allowing those unable to attend in person to join remotely. The school encourages everyone to share heartfelt messages, memories, or words in her honor.

Messages of remembrance from hundreds of students, teachers, and alumni have flooded the school's social media platforms. Former biology teacher and department co-ordinator Juliet Carolyn described Ms Sanalkumar as a beautiful, kind, compassionate, and deeply empathetic soul. Former student Ahmed Azab remembered Ms Sanalkumar as a teacher he always looked forward to seeing, appreciating her grace and compassion in helping students navigate school issues.

Faisal Mushtaq, another former student, recalled Ms Sanalkumar's helpful, caring, and smiling demeanor, as well as the positive impact she had on him during his time at the school in the early 2000s.