Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Mar 31: Mariamma Varkey, the pioneer of private sector educators in the UAE, passed away at here on Wednesday March 31.
The 89-year-old Mariamma was bed-ridden for several years. Fondly known as Ammachi, she brought about pioneering changes in Dubai’s education system. It is said many among her former students are members of the royal family in Dubai.
A former teacher, Mariamma, moved to Dubai with her late husband KS Varkey in 1959. She along with her late husband KS Varkey, founded one of Dubai's first private schools, Our Own English High School, in 1968. In 1980, her son Sunny Varkey took over the operation of the school followed by the establishment of Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) in 2000.
Mariamma is survived by her son Sunny Varkey, now the chairman of the GEMS group, the world's largest school operator, and daughter Susan Mathews.