Abu Dhabi private schools must recruit 2,000+ Emirati teachers under new Emiratisation policy

Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has launched a new Emiratisation policy requiring private schools to hire more than 2,000 Emirati teachers over the next five years. The policy sets emirate-level targets for teaching positions and complements existing federal Emiratisation requirements. Five private education operators have made specific commitments: Taaleem will recruit more than 200 Emirati educators, SABIS more than 150, GEMS Education more than 120, International Community Schools more than 77, and Liwa Education more than 61. The drive will initially focus on Social Studies, Arabic and Islamic Studies roles. ADEK will support implementation through access to national talent and help schools progress towards targets. The policy is anchored in the Abu Dhabi Educators' Proficiency Framework, which sets out expected values and skills. Support mechanisms include NAFIS-funded training pathways, the Emirati Student Employment Contract programme, Midad (a short-term teacher exploration programme), Kon Moallim (a sponsored postgraduate qualification), and the newly launched Teachers Program, which offers two pathways—Teacher and Teacher Assistant—with eligible participants receiving up to Dh4,000 monthly financial incentive during training.