GEMS, one of the largest school groups in the UAE, welcomed more than 1,700 new teachers from a diverse range of countries in the new academic year. Schools across the country are set to reopen on Monday, August 25.
With more than 600,000 applications received annually for approximately 2,000 vacancies, the UAE-based school group remains one of the world’s most sought-after education employers.
At its annual GEMS Awareness Day, held at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, Chairman and Founder of the group, Sunny Varkey said, “We are not just growing. We are not just improving. We are not just leading. We are re-imagining education for a new generation.”
He reiterated that while technology and artificial intelligence will transform how children learn, the human connection between teacher and student remains irreplaceable.
“No machine is programmed to give our children the values and mindset to succeed and be a good person. No line of code can replace warmth and encouragement. And no artificial intelligence, no matter how advanced, will believe in you the way a teacher can. This is the power of human connection.”
At the annual induction programme, Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “Teachers have always been and will always be the backbone of GEMS Education. Every year, we go to extraordinary lengths to recruit only the very best educators — those who share our vision for excellence, creativity, and student success. GEMS Awareness Day is a celebration of this culture, attracting top educators, fostering belonging, and reinforcing excellence across our network.”
Meanwhile, Sunny Varkey reaffirmed his conviction that family must always come first in education, highlighting GEMS’ BEYOND100, Determined Genius, Family First Café, and Parent 360 programmes as examples of initiatives that help nurture character, wellbeing, and lifelong habits for success.
“Our work is more than a job, more than a mission, more than a calling. It is a simple promise we must keep — to always put children first. No ifs and no buts,” Varkey added.
Notably, in 2025, 250 students have been accepted into a Global Top 50 institution and 353 into Russell Group universities. Seven GEMS students have also been accepted into Ivy Leagues universities this year.
Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer, concluded by emphasising the role of teachers in turning vision into reality: “I am delighted to welcome this year’s new intake of talented teachers to our GEMS family. The calibre, experience, and passion of our teachers make the real difference in our classrooms every day. With innovation at the heart of our work, I am confident we will continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for every child, in every GEMS school.”
© Khaleej Times
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