UAE Targets 2,000 Emirati Teachers in Private Schools Over Five Years
The UAE is stepping up efforts to increase Emirati representation in private school teaching, with a major recruitment initiative aimed at strengthening national talent across the education sector.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) launched its Emiratisation Policy for Private Education on Thursday, introducing a coordinated framework to expand opportunities for UAE Nationals in teaching.
Several major education and government entities have joined forces to support the landmark recruitment initiative.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has partnered with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS) to support the programme.
Private education operators SABIS, Taaleem, GEMS Education, International Community Schools and Liwa Education have also committed to collaborating to expand pathways for Emirati talent to enter the teaching profession across Abu Dhabi.
The initiative brings together policy development, talent preparation, career support and employer commitments under a unified framework, providing UAE Nationals with clearer routes to training, professional qualifications and employment in private education.
The programme aims to integrate more than 2,000 UAE Nationals into the teaching workforce over the next five years.
The initiative supports ADEK’s goal of developing a high-quality education system driven by skilled teaching professionals. It also aims to equip Abu Dhabi’s young people with advanced future-ready and life skills while prioritising their wellbeing and strengthening their connection to their roots, heritage and sense of belonging.
A key element of the policy is the introduction of emirate-level Emiratisation targets specifically for teaching positions in Abu Dhabi’s private schools.
The framework complements existing federal Emiratisation requirements while introducing a dedicated approach to increasing the number of Emirati teachers in classrooms. It also seeks to develop educators who reflect the values, expertise and professional standards expected across Abu Dhabi’s education system.
The initiative builds on an agreement signed with Aldar Education in May 2026, which committed to creating more than 300 opportunities for Emirati educators. ADEK is now broadening its collaboration with additional private education operators to establish more routes for UAE Nationals to enter the teaching profession.
To implement the policy, ADEK has established strategic partnerships with SABIS, Taaleem, GEMS Education, International Community Schools and Liwa Education. These agreements link the new Emiratisation targets with employers’ commitments to train, place and recruit Emirati talent across their schools.