GEMS attends talks with British Prime Minister

Sunny Varkey, Chairman of Global Education Management Systems (GEMS), attended a breakfast meeting with British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, at No. 10 Downing Street, earlier this week. The meeting was organised to progress Academies, the British Government's initiative for a new type of state-funded independent schools.

Last month GEMS acquired 3E's School Regeneration and Multimedia functions including the project management for Academies. The acquisition of 3E's represents a significant move into the state education sector for GEMS which, to date, has been one of the biggest providers of private education in the UK with 13 independent schools.

Sunny Varkey commented "GEMS expertise in the private sector can be of significant benefit to the state sector both regionally and in the UK. The acquisition of 3Es is a strategic move forward for GEMS and for the Academies as this will enable us to use our experience and specialised expertise in both turning around ailing schools, and in helping to bridge the gap between the private and state sector."

The UK Government is committed to securing a step change in the performance of its education system. The Academies programme is challenging the culture of educational under-attainment and delivering real improvements in standards since the initiative was launched in March 2000.

Academies are all ability schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working in partnership with central Government and local education partners. GEMS has been appointed the official sponsor of the City Academy in Milton Keynes.

GEMS manages a growing network of nearly 50 international schools in the region and in the United Kingdom, providing high quality standards of education to almost 50,000 students from around the world. A member of the Varkey Group, GEMS benefits from almost 40 years of expertise in the field of education and is experienced in a variety of curriculum including The National Curriculum for England, the International Baccalaureate Program, American Curriculum and Indian Curriculum. GEMS has a presence in the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East and India.