The aim is to build the capacities of students and teachers in environmental sustainability 

Dubai, Oct 17, 2023: The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GEMS Education with the aim to design and implement green education initiatives and integrate environmental sustainability topics into UAE schools. The initiative further aims to build the capacities of students and teachers in green education. 

The MoU was signed by Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, the Assistant Under-Secretary of the Care and Capacity Building sector at the Ministry of Education and Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, on the sidelines of the second meeting of the National Committee for Green Education, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. 

Dr. Amna Al Shamsi says that the MoU bolsters the Ministry of Education’s efforts to develop the skills and knowledge of students and academics and enables them to lead climate action, and to establish general frameworks that ensure the inclusion of environmental sustainability topics in the educational system. This is to achieve the desired educational goals by enhancing the knowledge and capabilities of students and teaching staff in this green education. 

Dr. Al Shamsi adds that the MoU, which aligns with the UAE Vision 2031, aims to provide the general framework in which the Ministry and GEMS Education can achieve mutual benefit by identifying areas of common interest and explore the possibility of implementing agreed joint activities to build the capacities of academics and students in public and private education in the field of environmental sustainability. 

Varkey announced that more than 8,500 teachers across GEMS schools will complete the UN Climate Change Course by the end of October. He further noted that through this collaboration, GEMS Education aims to contribute significantly to the UAE’s vision to become a leader in sustainable education globally, while raising a generation of responsible citizens who understand the importance of the environment and engage effectively in initiatives that positively impact our planet.