Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced emirate-level Emiratization targets for teaching positions in private schools, aiming to bring more than 2,000 UAE nationals into the teaching workforce over the next five years.
The regulator announced the Emiratization Policy for Private Education on Friday, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. The targets complement existing federal Emiratization requirements.
Five private school operators have signed partnerships with ADEK to train, place and recruit Emirati staff.
Taaleem has committed to recruit more than 200 Emirati educators. SABIS has committed to more than 150, GEMS Education to more than 120, International Community Schools to more than 77 and Liwa Education to more than 61.
Hiring will initially focus on Social Studies, Arabic and Islamic Studies roles. Recruitment will take place progressively over the five years.
The commitments build on an agreement ADEK signed with Aldar Education in May 2026, under which Aldar Education committed to create more than 300 opportunities for Emirati educators.
The policy is backed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, which runs the Nafis program.
Nafis has launched a Teachers Program, delivered by the Emirates College for Advanced Education, with separate pathways for teachers and teacher assistants. Eligible trainees on the teacher pathway may receive a monthly incentive of up to AED4,000 during training.
Emiratis hired under the Emirati Student Employment Contract program, which lets nationals join an employer while still studying, also count toward an employer’s Emiratization targets, the media office said.
ADEK said it will work with all private schools in Abu Dhabi to help them meet the new targets.
