500,000 applications for 1,550 teaching jobs: Why UAE remains a global hub for teachersDino Varkey says UAE remains a global hub for teachers, as GEMS plans up to 200 AI agents to free educators from administrative workDubai: The UAE continues to be the top choice for teachers across the world to relocate to, Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, told reporters at the GEMS Awareness Day, which was held in Dubai today.Speaking about how GEMS Education received more than 500,000 applications for just 1,550 teaching positions ahead of the new academic year due to begin next week, he said: “The truth is that the UAE still remains one of the global hubs for teachers to relocate to.“The attraction principles of this city and this country still hold true.” Adding that despite the regional pressures earlier this year, the UAE’s community in general, and the education sector in particular, continued with resilience.A part of UAE’s growth storyAs the UAE continues to attract families and investment from around the world, Varkey spoke about GEMS Education’s ambition to be a part of the country’s story.“We cannot simply participate in the UAE’s growth story. We must help enable it,” Varkey said.“When our schools work, our families can work,” he added.AI in schools – but not for students under 13A major topic of discussion at the Awareness Day was around AI and the opportunities and challenges it presents to the school community.Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, spoke about how the UAE’s educational framework prohibits students under 13, or those below Year 7, from using generative AI tools. The rules are aimed at protecting younger students while maintaining academic integrity and safe use of the technology.“We will be adhering to the instructions of not actually introducing AI before 13 years of age,” Crausby said.The education around AI, though, has to start early, in order to equip students to make the best use of it, she added.For older students, Crausby said GEMS’ approach would focus not simply on using AI, but on understanding its limitations as well.“I don’t think we can get away from the fact that AI is here and here to stay,” Crausby said. “I think it’s only going to get more and more sophisticated.”Up to 200 AI agents to help teachersOne way in which AI is being actively used by the GEMS group, Varkey said, was by freeing up teachers from administrative work, so that they can spend more time building the much-needed connection with students.“We are working on 150 to 200 AI agents designed to try and reduce the administrative load on teachers so they can actually focus on what they do best, and that’s to inspire their students,” Varkey said.“You’ll never be able to replace a teacher’s ability to transform or inspire, period. We’ll continue to take advantage of technology and artificial intelligence for all of these benefits, but preserve human judgement at the end of the day,” he added.
