Abu Dhabi Sets Five-Year Deadline for Private School Emiratisation Drive
The UAE has announced a huge push for Emiratisation in teaching across private schools in the country.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) launched its Emiratisation Policy for Private Education on Thursday.
A number of major educational stakeholders have come together for this landmark recruitment drive.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has teamed up with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS).
Private education companies SABIS, Taaleem, GEMS Education, International Community Schools, and Liwa Education have all agreed to collaborate and work together in a bid to expand national talent pathways into teaching across Abu Dhabi.
The announcement brings together policy, talent development, career support and employer commitment under one coordinated approach, creating clearer routes for UAE Nationals into training, qualification and employment across the private education sector.
The program also aims to integrate more than 2,000 UAE Nationals into the teaching workforce over the next five years.
These efforts advance ADEK’s priority to build a high-quality education ecosystem led by high-caliber teaching talent, one that equips Abu Dhabi’s youth with advanced future and life skills, while prioritises their wellbeing and strengths their connection to their roots, heritage and sense of belonging.
At the heart of this initiative is the introduction of emirate-level Emiratisationtargets specifically for teaching positions in Abu Dhabi private schools.
The policy complements existing federal Emiratisation requirements while establishing a dedicated approach to growing Emirati representation in classrooms and developing educators who reflect the values, expertise and professional standards expected across Abu Dhabi’s education system.
Building on the agreement signed with Aldar Education in May 2026, which committed to creating more than 300 opportunities for Emirati educators, ADEK is now expanding its collaboration with additional private education operators to create more pathways for UAE Nationals to enter the teaching profession across Abu Dhabi.
To bring the policy to life, ADEK has entered into strategic partnerships with SABIS, Taaleem, GEMS Education, International Community Schools and Liwa Education, connecting the new targets directly with employer commitments to train, place and recruit national talent across their schools.
Do the Math?
A quick look at the numbers behind this initiative, and you can see there is real substance behind this national talent drive.
Taaleem has committed to recruiting 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, creating hundreds of new opportunities for UAE Nationals.
The recruitment drive will initially focus on Social Studies, Arabic, and Islamic Studies roles, with recruitment and integration taking place progressively over the coming five years.
The participating operators will serve as strategic partners in the implementation of the policy, helping establish practical models for recruitment, training and placement. ADEK will continue to work with all private schools across Abu Dhabi to support implementation, facilitate access to national talent and enable schools to progress toward the new Emiratisation targets.
The collaboration will create additional pathways for UAE Nationals into specialised education while strengthening schools’ access to qualified professionals who can support inclusive learning, student wellbeing and more individualised support for Students of Determination.
Through the policy, strategic partnerships and expanding development pathways, ADEK will continue to grow the number of Emirati educators across Abu Dhabi while ensuring national talent has the preparation, qualifications and opportunities needed to build long-term careers in education and contribute to a high-quality, values-driven and future-ready education ecosystem.