Emaar.E.C, SAGIA appoint GEMS as operator of first school in King Abdullah Economic City

• Key step in KAEC’s objective of being the regional Centre of Excellence in Education
• GEMS is renowned for quality education and training of teachers
• 30,000 sq m in area; Classes for KG to high school
• Scheduled to open in 2009

The school, to be operational in 2009, will spread over 50,000 sq m and initially offer kindergarten to high school classes for over 2,000 students. It will also drive KAEC’s objective of becoming the regional Centre of Excellence in education.

The school will be a highlight of the Residential Communities – one of the six components of KAEC - and will focus on providing international standards of education through highly qualified teachers and contemporary classroom environments, advanced laboratories, and extensive art and sports facilities to assure well-rounded development of children.

His Excellency Mr Amr Bin Abdullah Al-Dabbagh, Governor, SAGIA, said: “Education is one of the top priorities of the Kingdom and KAEC’s initiative will enhance the position of the project as an international destination to work, live and learn. SAGIA and the developers of the Economic Cities will encourage more education providers to explore the opportunities presented by Saudi Arabia.”

Mr Fahd Al-Rahseed, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar.E.C, said: “KAEC will be an integrated lifestyle destination, and providing world-class education for residents is one of our top priorities. GEMS, with its excellent track-record in education and school management with over 75 schools world-wide, will meet the standards required to prepare and create world leaders, and complements Emaar.E.C’s ambition of having a world-class education environment in KAEC. GEMS is committed to providing teachers with the highest quality training and advanced way of studies that will drive the all-round development of students from an early stage. GEMS will adapt modern technologies and also focus on the fitness of students through modern sport programmes and facilities.”

He added: “KAEC is the largest private sector-led development in the region and will usher in a new era of economic prosperity in the Kingdom. We have already unveiled the first residential community within KAEC – Bay La Sun Village – which has received sell-out investor response. The opening of the school will further complement our objective of providing an integrated lifestyle to KAEC residents.”

The school will be differentiated by the international standard of education provided with priority for all the all-round and holistic development of children. The established track-record of GEMS will be a huge draw for students. GEMS schools consistently ensure high academic standards well above national averages in all the countries it operates.

At 83%, the GEMS IGCSE examination results are 23 points above the UK national average with top places in Chemistry, Biology and Spanish. GEMS enjoys Cambridge International Fellowship Centre status and has won the UAE’s top laurel in education – the Sheikh Hamdan Award for Excellence. Three GEMS schools are Edexel certified examination centres and six schools are Cambridge International Examination Centres.

Mr Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this important venture and to the development of the education landscape in KAEC, utilising our value-based education and expertise in the region as a cornerstone.”

In addition to an international faculty, the school will have locally hired teachers who will be provided with international-level training.

“The emphasis of our initiatives is to provide the highest quality standards in education,” added Mr Al-Rahseed. “Special training programmes will equip the school’s entire staff to ensure the overall development of the students.”

KAEC is located near the Red Sea coast and has six key components: the Sea Port, Industrial Zone, Central Business District (including the Financial District), Resort District, Educational Zone and Residential Communities.

Work is progressing according to schedule on the various zones including residential, commercial and leisure components.