Visionary Educator and Nine Gulf Schools Founder Dies at 78
NK Ramachandran Menon, the visionary educator who established an extensive network of nine schools and two early-learning centers across the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, has passed away. The founder of the Bhavans Middle East group died in Kerala on September 30, 2026, at the age of 78.
According to reports, the funeral was held on October 1 at his family home in Aluva. His passing has prompted a wave of mourning across the educational communities of the Gulf, with schools within his group closing early to hold memorial services and prayers.
A Journey from Banking to Educational Leadership
Menon’s journey in the Middle East began in 1969 when he arrived in Kuwait to work as a banker. However, his professional path took a significant turn when he decided to transition into the field of education. In 2000, he initiated a landmark plan to bring the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan institution—originally founded in India by K.M. Munshi in 1938—to the Middle East region.
His first major success was the opening of the Indian Educational School (IES – Bhavans Kuwait) in 2006. This marked the beginning of a rapid expansion that would eventually reshape the landscape of Indian schooling in the region.
The Growing Bhavans Network
Over two decades, Menon meticulously built a network of institutions designed to provide high-quality education. His expansion included:
- Private International English School (PIES) in Abu Dhabi (September 2010)
- Al Saad Indian School in Al Ain (September 2014)
- Bahrain Indian School (September 2015)
- The Smart Indian School in Kuwait (September 2016)
- Bhavans Pearl Wisdom School in Al Ain (April 2019)
- Pearl Wisdom School in Dubai (April 2020)
- Bhavans Pearl Wisdom School in Sharjah (September 2023)
- Pearl Heritage School in Abu Dhabi (August 2026)
In addition to these primary and secondary institutions, the group also manages the Jack and Jill Pre-School in Kuwait and the Piccadilly Nursery in Abu Dhabi.
A Trailblazer and Mentor
Menon was not only a builder of schools but also a pioneer for professionals in the region. In early 2022, he became the first India-based professional in Kuwait to be awarded a UAE Golden Visa.
Colleagues and staff from across the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain traveled to Kerala to pay their final respects. The tributes highlighted his impact on both institutions and individuals:
- Dr. K.T. Nandakumar, Principal of PIES Abu Dhabi, praised Menon as a mentor who helped him rise from the role of a teacher to that of a principal.
- Indu Panikkar, Principal of Bhavans Pearl Wisdom School in Sharjah, described him as a leader who focused on "building people rather than just institutions."