The Hindu Business Line : GEMS to establish schools in India

GLOBAL Education Management Systems (GEMS), which currently manages almost 60 international schools in various countries in the West Asia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and now India, says it is currently in talks with three of the five largest industrial houses in the country to set up private schools for them or turn around the ones they already have.

"We are in touch with them and are looking at viable options. We have an ambitious target for India where we began operations in October 2004. We have plans to establish six schools this year, 15 by the following year and a 150 in the next five years," said the Executive Director and COO, Mr Shashank Vira.

With more players willing to invest in the education sector, GEMS hopes not only establish its own schools, but also partner with investors for new schools or take over the management of the existing schools that need a facelift.

GEMS, promoted by NRI Mr Sunny Varkey, offers total school management solutions. It takes on a school from project inception and planning to ongoing operations, including hiring of the staff. Worldwide it employs 4,900 multi-skilled education professionals who are supported by an advisory board. In India, GEMS has already introduced two schools each in Kolkata and Jalandhar in alliance with Ajay Bhatia and Pailan Group respectively.

It is in the process of joining hands with the Kothari Group to introduce schools in Noida, Gurgaon (Haryana) and Jaipur by the beginning of next academic year.

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