MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARKEY GEMS FOUNDATION

The Varkey GEMS Foundation was launched on 12th December 2010 by former US President at American . The Foundation is a not for profit charity set up by the Varkey family and GEMS Education, the company which operates all our schools.

We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to go to school. Did you know that there are nearly 70 million children in the world who don’t go to school because their families either can’t afford it or there simply aren’t any schools to go to!

We believe that every child who goes to school deserves a quality education. Many schools simply don’t have the know-how, motivation, resources, and good teachers to focus on making sure children in their schools have the best chance to succeed.

As the world’s largest provider of international education, we have decided to try to do something about these issues.

MISSION - VARKEY GEMS FOUNDATION

We believe that by impacting the lives of millions of underprivileged children through a quality education, we will improve their life chances and prosperity and create a generation of educated adults who will contribute meaningfully to communities, globally.

AIM

For every one child enrolled at a GEMS school one hundred underprivileged children will be impacted. (Phase one to impact ten million children)

A HISTORY OF GIVING

Ever since the Varkey family arrived in Dubai in the 1950’s – they have been synonymous with education and philanthropy. The Chairman of GEMS Education is . Even when his father earned a mere 5000 Rupees a month, he donated 500 Rupees to charitable causes. Faced with requests for assistance from family, friends and even just acquaintances, the family helps and provides. ‘Giving’ is the word that best describes the Varkey family’s ethos and Sunny Varkey and his family carry on this tradition to this day.

GEMS SCHOOLS

The importance of ‘giving’ is now taught through all of GEMS Schools around the world as part of GEMS core values. Throughout our history our students, parents, teachers and the Varkey family have raised in excess of US $50 million dollars for causes that matter most to them. As part of our commitment, GEMS Education has also provided scholarships and subsidies to more than 3,000 children in our own network of schools.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE OUR TARGET?

The Varkey GEMS Foundation will aim to utilize its vast resources including teachers, students and parents to impact the lives of millions of underprivileged children around the world. GEMS Education currently employs over 9,000 people and educates nearly 100,000 students from 125 nationalities. With a business strategy that seeks expansion in key geographical markets, in government consulting, and by building alliances, GEMS Education aspires to educate over 5 million students by 2024, with tens of thousands more teachers.

The Varkey GEMS Foundation will focus its work in these key areas:

1/. AN EDUCATION FOR LIFE - SCHOLARSHIPS

The Varkey GEMS Foundation will provide thousands of scholarships and assistance to the most gifted, yet underprivileged children outside the GEMS network. We will also create alliances with other education providers to facilitate the same opportunity for children where GEMS Education has no schools. We will support students who aspire to university by providing mentors and assistance where required so that they are able to achieve their full potential.

2/.INSPIRATIONAL - OUR SCHOOL LEADERS

Effective, inspirational school leadership improves teaching and learning. By creating programmes to mentor and train school leadership teams, both online and on location, we will raise the standard of education in schools which will result in improved student outcomes.

3/. OUR BEST ASSET - OUR TEACHERS

Teachers are the yardstick that measures the achievements and aspirations of a nation. With a staff base representing 60 nationalities, our teachers will be ambassadors for the foundation in their home country. They will help develop a range of programmes, both online and on location, including teacher training in core subjects such as Maths, English and Science.

4/. GLOBALLY RECOGNISED - OUR EDUCATION ADVISERS

GEMS Education has a senior management team which comprises the most talented and recognised educationists, globally. These are educationists who have been responsible for running school systems in the UK and US worth billions of dollars. We aim to leverage their expertise to influence the strategy, programmes, and delivery of global education to like-minded NGOs. GEMS Education already works in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative, Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Dubai Cares and Pratham. It is currently in talks with UNESCO about forming a strategic alliance.