Support for Libyan education reforms

Gems, Dubai's largest education providers, are supporting education reform in Libya by helping the Libyan missions in UAE prepare a roadmap for the new government to work on. Dr Aref Ali Nayed, Ambassador of Libya to the UAE, thanked the support of the group, following hoisting of the new Libyan flag at Gems Jumeirah College yesterday. The new flag was hoisted at the school following a request from one of the parents to recognise it, said Sunny Varkey, chairman and founder of Gems Education. Pupils from Libya, teachers and parents across the Gems network of schools participated in the ceremony. Earlier, Gems had also lent a helping hand to pupils who fled the unrest in Libya by providing them with the opportunity to continue their studies in the UAE. "The new [Libyan] cabinet, which will be formed on Sunday, will work towards implementing the education roadmap for a better tomorrow," the ambassador said. Moving moment Calling the flag hoisting a deeply moving moment, he said the country has been through a tough journey, which saw the sacrifice of lives. But there was a consistent faith and joy of what was about to come, he said. Mohammad Ali Khazuri, Libyan consul-general, said the flag represents the struggle behind how the country was freed. The flag was widely used by anti-government protesters as a sign of their revolt against Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled the country for 41 years. The new flag is the one which was used 40 years ago while Libya was under monarchial rule.