Who Owns Our Own English School?

• Parent Company: GEMS Education
• Ownership Type: Wholly owned
• Company Type: Publicly Traded

• Founded: 1968
• Founders: Mariama and K.S. Varkey

• Founded: 1968
• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Revenue: not publicly disclosed

Visit GEMS Education website

• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Manufacturing / Operations: United Arab Emirates

Our Own English School operates under GEMS Education's sustainability framework, focusing on environmental education, sustainable campus operations, and ethical educational practices. The school's sustainability initiatives support GEMS Education's commitment to environmental stewardship while serving Dubai's large Indian expatriate community.

Environmental Education Programs: Our Own English School integrates environmental education across its curriculum, teaching students about sustainability, climate change, and environmental responsibility. The school participates in GEMS Education's environmental initiatives, including tree planting campaigns, waste reduction programs, and water conservation awareness activities. Students engage in environmental projects that connect classroom learning with real-world sustainability challenges.

Sustainable Campus Operations: The school has implemented energy efficiency measures across its large campus facilities, including LED lighting, energy-efficient air conditioning systems, and smart building management technologies. Given Dubai's hot climate and the school's large student population of approximately 10,000, energy efficiency is critical for operational sustainability. The school has installed water conservation systems and implemented recycling programs to reduce its environmental footprint.

Waste Management and Recycling: Our Own English School operates comprehensive waste management programs appropriate for its large student population. The school has implemented recycling stations, composting programs for food waste, and waste reduction initiatives. Environmental clubs and student-led sustainability projects encourage waste reduction awareness and practical environmental action among students.

Community Service and Social Responsibility: The school maintains strong community service programs that align with GEMS Education's commitment to social responsibility. Students participate in charitable activities, environmental clean-up campaigns, and community service projects that support Dubai's broader sustainability goals. The school's community engagement programs focus on developing students' sense of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Cultural Preservation and Ethical Education: As one of Dubai's oldest Indian curriculum schools, Our Own English School emphasizes cultural preservation and ethical education alongside academic excellence. The school maintains programs that celebrate Indian culture while promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect for Dubai's multicultural environment. This approach supports students' development as global citizens with strong cultural identity and ethical values.

Our Own English School has received recognition for its educational excellence, large-scale operations, and contributions to Dubai's educational landscape, establishing itself as one of the most significant Indian curriculum schools in the Middle East.

Educational Excellence Recognition: The school has received recognition from Indian educational authorities and international education organizations for its academic achievements and curriculum implementation. Our Own English School's performance in CBSE and ICSE examinations has been acknowledged for consistently high results, reflecting the quality of education provided to its approximately 10,000 students.

KHDA Ratings: Our Own English School has been rated by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which inspects and rates all private schools in Dubai. The school has received positive ratings that reflect its compliance with Dubai's educational standards and its commitment to continuous improvement in educational quality.

Large-Scale Education Leadership: The school has been recognized for successfully operating one of the world's largest single-location girls schools. Managing educational operations for approximately 10,000 students presents unique challenges, and the school's success in this area has been acknowledged by educational administrators and international school organizations.

Cultural and Community Recognition: Our Own English School has received recognition from Dubai's Indian expatriate community for its role in preserving Indian culture and providing quality education. The school's cultural programs, Indian festivals, and community events have been acknowledged for strengthening cultural identity among Dubai's Indian community.

GEMS Education Internal Recognition: As the founding school of the GEMS Education network, Our Own English School holds special recognition within the company's portfolio. The school serves as a model for GEMS Education's Indian curriculum schools and has been cited as an example of successful educational entrepreneurship and international school development.

Historical Significance: The school has received recognition for its historical importance as one of Dubai's oldest private schools, founded in 1968. Educational historians and Dubai government officials have acknowledged the school's role in the development of Dubai's private education sector and its contribution to the emirate's educational infrastructure.

Our Own English School has faced challenges typical of large educational institutions operating in Dubai's competitive private school market, particularly related to capacity management, regulatory compliance, and the broader challenges of operating at such a large scale.

Capacity and Enrollment Management: The school's very large enrollment of approximately 10,000 students has created operational challenges related to capacity management, class sizes, and individual student attention. Parents and educational observers have occasionally raised concerns about whether such a large student population affects the quality of individualized education and student support services.

Regulatory Compliance Issues: Like all Dubai private schools, Our Own English School operates under the oversight of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The school has faced the typical regulatory compliance challenges associated with maintaining KHDA standards across curriculum implementation, teacher qualifications, facility safety, and educational outcomes. These compliance requirements create ongoing operational challenges for the school administration.

Competition and Market Pressures: Dubai's private school market is highly competitive, with new schools continuously entering the market and existing schools competing for students. Our Own English School has faced pressure from newer Indian curriculum schools and from schools offering alternative curricula that may be perceived as more internationally recognized. This competition affects enrollment and requires continuous investment in facilities and programs.

Infrastructure and Facility Challenges: Operating a school for 10,000 students presents significant infrastructure challenges. The school has faced issues related to facility maintenance, traffic management during drop-off and pick-up times, and ensuring adequate space and resources for all students. These infrastructure challenges are typical of very large educational institutions but are magnified by the school's scale.

Curriculum Adaptation Pressures: The school has faced pressure to adapt its Indian curriculum to better prepare students for international university admission. While CBSE and ICSE qualifications are recognized in India and internationally, some parents seek schools with British or IB curricula perceived as more advantageous for international university admissions. This has created tension between maintaining the school's Indian curriculum identity and adapting to global educational trends.

Teacher Recruitment and Retention: Like many Dubai private schools, Our Own English School faces challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, particularly given the high cost of living in Dubai and competition from other schools. The school's large scale requires a substantial teaching staff, making teacher recruitment and retention a critical operational concern.