Abu Dhabi has launched a five-year plan to increase the number of Emirati teachers in private schools. The initiative aims to bring more than 2,000 UAE Nationals into the teaching workforce by expanding training, career support and job opportunities. The plan brings together education authorities, government bodies and private school operators to build a stronger national teaching workforce.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) launched its Emiratisation Policy for Private Education on Thursday. The policy sets targets for Emirati representation in teaching roles across private schools in the emirate. It also aims to create clearer paths for UAE Nationals to gain qualifications, enter training and secure teaching jobs.
The initiative brings together the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, known as NAFIS, and several major education groups. SABIS, Taaleem, GEMS Education, International Community Schools and Liwa Education have agreed to work with ADEK on the plan.
The partnerships link government policy with the needs of private schools. They are designed to help Emirati candidates move from training into qualified teaching roles. School operators will play a key part in offering opportunities and helping new educators build their careers.
The five-year target is a central part of Abu Dhabi’s wider effort to develop local talent. By bringing more UAE Nationals into classrooms, the policy aims to build a teaching workforce that reflects the country’s culture, values and education goals.
ADEK said the initiative supports its goal of building a high-quality education system led by skilled teachers. The wider aim is to help young people gain the knowledge and skills they need for future careers and daily life. The policy also places importance on student wellbeing, cultural identity and a strong connection to Emirati heritage.
The new plan introduces emirate-level Emiratisation targets for teaching positions in private schools. These targets will work alongside existing federal Emiratisation rules. This gives Abu Dhabi a specific framework to increase the number of Emirati educators and develop local talent within its private education sector.
The policy also seeks to make teaching a more accessible career choice for UAE Nationals. Clearer routes into training, professional qualifications and employment may help more candidates understand the steps needed to become teachers. The involvement of school operators is intended to connect these pathways with actual recruitment needs.
The latest announcement builds on an earlier agreement between ADEK and Aldar Education in May 2026. That agreement committed to creating more than 300 opportunities for Emirati educators. The new partnerships expand the effort to include more private education groups and reach a wider network of schools across Abu Dhabi.
Under the new approach, participating education companies will work with ADEK to train, place and recruit Emirati talent. This coordinated model aims to connect national workforce goals with the staffing needs of individual schools.
The role of NAFIS and MOHRE adds a career development element to the initiative. Their involvement brings employment policy and talent support together with education sector planning. This may help candidates find suitable opportunities and understand the support available as they enter the profession.
Private schools are an important part of Abu Dhabi’s education system. Increasing Emirati participation in teaching could create new career options for citizens while helping schools develop a workforce with strong local knowledge and professional skills.
However, reaching the target of more than 2,000 teachers over five years will depend on effective training, suitable qualifications and continued recruitment by participating schools. The number of candidates who complete training and move into teaching roles will be important in measuring progress.
The policy marks a wider effort to connect education, employment and national talent development. Through its partnerships with government bodies and private school operators, ADEK aims to create lasting routes into teaching for UAE Nationals and strengthen the role of local educators in Abu Dhabi’s classrooms over the coming years.
