GEMS Education Expands UAE Workforce With 1,550 New Teachers for 2026/27
GEMS Education is adding 1,550 new teachers for the 2026/27 academic year, taking its educator community to more than 10,000 as the UAE-based education group continues to invest in talent, leadership development, Emiratisation and future-ready learning. [1]
The new cohort joins GEMS following a global recruitment process and represents more than 112 nationalities across the organisation. According to the group, it receives more than 500,000 job applications annually, giving it access to a broad international talent pool while also recruiting experienced educators already based in the UAE. [1]
The workforce expansion comes as education providers across the UAE continue to invest in staff, technology and capacity in response to population growth and sustained demand for private education.
Investment in Teachers and Leadership
GEMS says its people strategy goes beyond recruitment, with a growing emphasis on professional development, internal mobility, leadership progression and employee retention.
More than 40% of principal appointments made across the group over the past 12 months have been internal appointments, while more than 3,000 employees have been with the organisation for over a decade. [1]
Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education, said teachers remain central to the organisation’s long-term strategy.
“Buildings and technology matter, but teachers remain the greatest investment we can make.”
The company says educators can move between schools, curricula, roles and geographies within the GEMS network, creating broader long-term career pathways and supporting internal talent development. [1]
Emiratisation and Local Talent Development
GEMS is also increasing its focus on Emirati workforce development.
Its Emirati Teacher Assistant Upskilling Programme has trained more than 330 Emiratis, according to the organisation. [1]
The initiative forms part of a wider workforce strategy combining recruitment, professional development, employee engagement and internal progression.
For employers across the UAE, local talent development has become an increasingly important part of long-term workforce planning, and the education sector is no exception.
AI and Future-Ready Education
Alongside its recruitment drive, GEMS says it is expanding the use of technology and AI-enabled approaches across its schools.
The group is positioning artificial intelligence as one element of a broader future-ready education strategy that also includes academic performance, student wellbeing, character development and practical skills. [1]
Rather than presenting technology as a substitute for teachers, the organisation is placing educators at the centre of its model while increasing their access to digital tools and AI-enabled learning approaches.
This reflects a wider shift across the education sector, where artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to support teaching, personalised learning, administration and student engagement.
Strong Demand Ahead of the New Academic Year
GEMS says it has already secured around 95% of its targeted student places for the 2026/27 academic year through a combination of new registrations and re-enrolments. [1]
The figure suggests continued demand across the group’s schools as the UAE education market expands alongside population and economic growth.
The workforce expansion also follows a strong academic results period for the group. UAE-Business.com recently reported on the 2026 GCSE results achieved by GEMS Education schools, highlighting academic performance across its network. [2]
A Growing Education Workforce
The 1,550 new teachers were formally welcomed during GEMS Awareness Day 2026, the organisation’s annual gathering for incoming teachers, school leaders and senior management.
This year’s event was organised around the theme Family First, reflecting the group’s emphasis on stronger relationships between schools, students and families. [1]
For GEMS, however, the larger business story is the continued expansion of its workforce and its investment in human capital as it prepares for further long-term growth in the UAE education market.
With more than 10,000 educators, growing use of AI-enabled learning tools, expanding internal leadership pathways and continued recruitment from both the UAE and overseas, the group is positioning people and skills as a core part of its future growth strategy.
Figures and organisational information in this article are based on information provided by GEMS Education.
Image credit: GEMS Education
Sources and Information
[1] GEMS Education, press release: “GEMS Education welcomes 1,550 new educators as it begins 2026/27 academic year with focus on people, families and the future of education,” 26 August 2026.
[2] UAE-Business.com, “GEMS Education GCSE Results 2026”
https://uae-business.com/gems-education-gcse-results-2026/
