Abu Dhabi Launches Emiratisation Policy Aiming to Place 2,000 Teachers in Private Schools

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced the Emiratisation Policy for Private Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS). The policy introduces emirate-level recruitment quotas aimed at placing over 2,000 UAE nationals in private school teaching positions across Abu Dhabi within the next five years.

Under this initiative, private school operators have committed to hiring targets. Taaleem has committed to hiring over 200 Emirati educators, SABIS more than 150, GEMS Education more than 120, International Community Schools more than 77, and Liwa Education more than 61. These agreements follow a May 2026 commitment by Aldar Education to provide more than 300 educator roles. Recruitment will initially prioritize core subjects, including Arabic language, Islamic education, and social studies.

To facilitate the pipeline, the Teachers Program, a NAFIS initiative executed with the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) and ADEK, offers pathways for Teacher and Teacher Assistant roles. Eligible Emirati candidates enrolled in the Teacher pathway can receive monthly stipends of up to AED 4,000 during their training. Candidates employed under the Emirati Student Employment Contract programme will also count toward school Emiratisation targets.