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GEMS Education, a private school group, founded by Dubai-based NRI Sunny Varkey, that runs a network of international school across the world, plans to invest over Rs 1200 crore ($200 million) in India in the next three to five years to start its brand of schools.

The institution started operations in India a few years ago with international schools in Gurgaon. Its next venture will be in Kerala, where it is opening two schools in Kochi and Thiruvanathapuram with a total investment of Rs 200 crore. The upcoming IT park SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between Dubai-based Tecom Investments and Kerala government, will provide facilities to set up the school in Kochi.

After laying the foundation stone for Kochi school , GEMS Education chairman Sunny Varkey said : “ We plan to own or manage over 100 schools in India over the next few years.''

Chennai and Karnal are the two other locations where the institution will soon start schools. “ We have identified locations in Bangalore, Pune, Indore , Lucknow, Ludihiana and Chandigarh to start schools,''Amitabh Jhingan, CEO, GEMS Education India told ET. Besides opening schools, GEMS Education will also partner with public and private schools in India to raise their academic and other standards to global level.

GEMS Education has around 1.4 lakh students from 160 countries in a network of schools providing education from Kindergarten to class 12, in Middle East, South Asia, Americas, Europe and Africa.

The organization is also targeting Africa in a big way and is looking to expand its school network in the country to seven states .  “ Apart from Kenya and Uganda, we hope to be present in Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Angola. The investment will be to the tune of $200 in the next few years,'' said C N Radhakrishnan, senior executive director of Varkey group.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/