Gems expands to South Africa with first school improvement initiative

Founder and Chairman of Gems Education, Mr Sunny Varkey said:

"For Gems and its School Improvement Partnership (SIP) programme, this represents the most important step into Africa to date. Over time, this will lead to the establishment of significant relationships with other African countries."

"This is a massive declaration of confidence in Gems to undertake significant work in a growing and developing democracy. It is also a testament to the track record that Gems/SIP has developed in countries like the United States, the UAE and Qatar," Varkey added.

Margaret Corcoran, Senior Director, SIP programme, Gems Education said:

"Gems is honoured that Gauteng Province has chosen us as preferred partner to implement their education reform agenda. The baseline study by SIP will assist in developing a real strategy for change and will focus on the conditions in Gauteng Schools, the structural, legislative framework and statutory requirements that govern schools, including the performance management systems, academic improvement plans and the critical success factors for the partnership."

The consultancy services that SIP will provide Gauteng Province include a commitment to creating strong partnership, dependence and stability; a belief in the power of strategic and inclusive change management processes; a respect for culture and heritage and a belief in collaboration and cooperation.

With 50 years of education experience Gems has become the leading provider of private education globally. The SIP programme is about bridging private and public education, and aims to help support Government schools by improving their standards and expertise to enrich and improve public education across the globe. This will build the capacity of state supported systems to reshape education provision to meet 21st century expectations.

Gems SIP programme is also operating in the United States, the United Kingdom, Qatar and the UAE.