Dubai: GEMS Education, the world’s largest education group, has welcomed over 1,850 new teachers from 57 nationalities to its family at its annual GEMS Awareness Day. This marks a significant expansion for the group, which is now operating 44 schools across the UAE.
Record enrollment
GEMS anticipates having over 140,000 enrollments by the beginning of the new term, thanks to the increased capacity of its network, which now totals over 4,200 schools.
The new academic year will see the opening of two new schools – GEMS Founders School – Masdar City (Abu Dhabi) and GEMS Founders School – Dubai South – in response to the high demand for school places.
Attracting top educators
GEMS Education has a strong reputation as an employer of choice, attracting educators from all corners of the globe. Many of this year’s new hires have relocated from countries such as the UK, India, and Egypt. Notably, two-thirds of the new teaching recruits are female.
Emiratisation program
The award-winning Emiratisation program, launched in late 2022, continues to gain momentum. Since its inception,794 Emirati nationals have joined GEMS Education, demonstrating the group's commitment to supporting the UAE government's strategy.
Record teacher retention
The teacher retention rate has been 80% for the new academic year. This is particularly noteworthy given the increased competition for top educators worldwide. Moreover, three new heads of schools have been promoted from within the organization in recent months.
The new intake of teachers spans all year groups, from Kindergarten and Foundation Stage to Post-16, and covers a range of curricula including British, IB, US, and Indian.
Wellbeing and values-led culture
The theme for this year's GEMS Awareness Day was wellbeing, and the event showcased the various initiatives that GEMS is undertaking to support the mental and emotional health of its teachers and support staff.
On the occasion, the group's visionary founder, Mr. Sunny Varkey talked about the crucial role of teachers in today's challenging world and highlighted the values-led culture of GEMS Education. He emphasized the importance of wellbeing for both students and staff, as well as the significance of open communication and trust-building within the GEMS family.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer, expressed his pride in the positive impact that GEMS Education is making on the future of students, the planet, and humanity. He emphasized the group's commitment to providing quality education to every student.
Dr. Saima Rana, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the supportive environment that GEMS Education offers its teachers, which includes professional development, well-being support, and ample career opportunities. She expressed her excitement about the upcoming academic year and the opportunity to welcome a record intake of students.