GEMS Education welcomes 1,700 new teachers in Dubai
Chairman Sunny Varkey calls 2025 a transformative year for education
DUBAI – GEMS Education has welcomed more than 1,700 new teachers from across the globe at its annual GEMS Awareness Day, hosted at Atlantis, The Palm.
The event, which serves as the formal induction of staff ahead of the new academic year, marked what Chairman and Founder Sunny Varkey described as a “turning point” in the organisation’s 65-year history.
In his keynote address, Varkey highlighted the group’s enduring mission to place students first, while reimagining education for the next generation. He said 2025 represented not merely another stage of progress but a decisive shift in the way the organisation intends to shape the future of learning.
What makes this year different?
Varkey emphasised that while technology and artificial intelligence will increasingly shape the classroom, the essence of education remains rooted in human connection. “No machine is programmed to give our children the values and mindset to succeed and be a good person,” he told the assembled educators. “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.”
The Chairman also underlined his long-held conviction that family must remain at the heart of learning. GEMS’ suite of initiatives – including BEYOND100, Determined Genius, Family First Café, and Parent 360 – were presented as key examples of programmes designed to nurture not only academic success but also wellbeing, resilience, and strong values.
He added: “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.”
How are students performing?
GEMS students continue to secure places at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. In 2025 alone, 250 students were accepted into Global Top 50 institutions, while 353 gained entry to Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom. Seven students also secured coveted spots at Ivy League institutions in the United States, reinforcing GEMS’ reputation for academic excellence.
Such achievements, the group noted, reflect not only the strength of its academic framework but also the global recognition of its teaching standards and support networks. Each year, students from GEMS schools progress to leading institutions worldwide, from Oxbridge to the Ivy League, establishing themselves as leaders and innovators in diverse fields.
GEMS teachers
Group CEO Dino Varkey told the audience that GEMS goes to extraordinary lengths to recruit world-class educators who share its vision for creativity, excellence, and student success. “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,” he said, calling Awareness Day a celebration of belonging and achievement.
The group’s reputation for valuing teachers has made it one of the most sought-after employers in the sector. Its retention rates remain among the highest, with staff choosing to remain year-on-year thanks to professional development opportunities and internal career pathways. Many leadership appointments come from within, while carefully selected new heads bring fresh expertise.
Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer, said the calibre of teachers joining the network made a tangible difference in classrooms. “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,” she said.
GEMS Education
Established in Dubai in 1959, GEMS Education has grown into one of the world’s leading private providers of K-12 education. Today, it serves more than 200,000 students from over 176 nationalities across a global network of schools. Its alumni, now numbering nearly half a million, include leaders, innovators, and changemakers across multiple sectors.
Still family-led, with Sunny Varkey as Chairman alongside his sons Dino (Group CEO) and Jay (Deputy Group CEO), the group continues to expand its school network and philanthropic initiatives while holding fast to its founding mission: to place a high-quality education within reach of every learner, everywhere.