Message from our Founder

Dear Families,

Throughout our more than six decades in education, we have been led by one purpose: to put a quality education within the reach of every learner. This mission stands true now as much as it did when my parents first arrived on the shores of Dubai in 1959. And today we continue to take immense pride in the high standard of our schools, our teachers and the myriad opportunities made available for the young learners in our care.

We know that joining a GEMS school is a choice – one all parents carefully weigh up and consider, and always with the best interests of their children at heart. It is a choice that we are privileged and honoured to repay and justify every day in every school across our network. Education is a journey of discovery and self-improvement for the students in our care; it is also a journey for us as educators as we continuously seek to do things better.

We have always taken great pride in the close partnership between our teachers, parents and students. It is thanks to the strength of this collaboration that we are able to deliver the best possible learning experience, the best possible learning environment, and the best possible academic outcomes. We value the feedback of our school communities, and we act upon the feedback we receive.

The COVID-19 pandemic thrust us into an increasingly digital world, as our schools learnt to adapt to new challenges and find novel ways to engage students, inspiring them just as much from afar through technology as they do face-to-face in the classroom. While we will always assert that the best place for our learners is in school, we do also recognise the opportunities that the right use of technology affords. That is why we have long invested in digital solutions and platforms to enhance teaching and learning – and this will continue at pace.

Another hallmark of a GEMS education is our focus on values, which serve as a grounding anchor to all that we do. We place the greatest of importance on the simple, yet powerful human values of kindness, respect, empathy and compassion. We consider these crucial attributes that will equip our young people for the exciting yet challenging future that awaits them, enabling them to truly transform the world for the better as the change-makers they are.

And even after our students have graduated and gone on to higher education or entered the world of work, I assure you that GEMS will continue to act as a valuable support network, providing career, professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities, as well as so much more. Through our ever-expanding global GEMS Alumni network, we continue to assist and open doors for our students long after they have last set foot in school.

I thank you sincerely for placing your trust in GEMS.

Sunny Varkey
Founder, GEMS Education