Our Partners

The Varkey Foundation is delighted to be organising the 9th Global Teacher Prize in collaboration with UNESCO and in partnership with GEMS Education.

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

Teachers who are well-trained, supported and valued are essential to ensuring quality education for all and meeting the education targets of the 2030 Agenda. For that reason, they are a top priority for UNESCO. Yet worldwide there is a deficit of 69 million teachers and many of those who are at work, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, lack basic qualifications and training to keep pace with changes in education. UNESCO works with countries to increase the supply of qualified, motivated teachers by improving policies relating to them and supporting quality training which meets learners’ needs. To learn more, please visit www.unesco.org

GEMS Education, established in the UAE in 1959, is a global leader in private education, offering Kindergarten to Grade 12/Year 13 programs. As one of the largest and most experienced education providers, GEMS serves over 170,000 students from 176 countries daily, providing a diverse range of curricula. With schools across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, GEMS is committed to making high-quality education accessible to students of all socio-economic backgrounds. Guided by the founder's vision, Sunny Varkey, GEMS continues to expand its impact through its network of schools, charitable initiatives, and social responsibility programs.