ADEK and Aldar Education have launched a major new partnership to recruit and train more Emirati teachers for Abu Dhabi’s private schools
A major new partnership between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and Aldar Education is set to bring more Emirati teachers into Abu Dhabi’s private schools over the coming years.
Under the new agreement, Aldar Education plans to recruit more than 300 UAE Nationals across its schools, including over 100 Emirati teachers who are new to the profession.
ADEK and Aldar described the collaboration as the first public-private partnership of its kind in Abu Dhabi’s education sector, focused on developing and growing Emirati teaching talent.
What this partnership means for Abu Dhabi schools
One of the first focus areas will be Social Studies lessons. Under the agreement, all Social Studies teaching positions across Aldar Education’s operated schools will be occupied by Emirati educators within the next three years, in line with wider national priorities around Emiratisation in education.
The partnership will also focus on increasing Emirati representation in other areas, including Ministry of Education subjects, Special Educational Needs (SEN), Foundation Stage and Kindergarten classrooms.
The agreement outlines a structured talent development pathway, with ADEK supporting the preparation and training of Emirati educators, while Aldar Education focuses on recruitment, professional development and long-term career opportunities within its schools.
H.E Mohamed Al Qadi, Chairman of ADEK, said: “Teachers are the single most important factor in achieving educational excellence, and developing a strong national teaching workforce remains central to Abu Dhabi’s long-term education priorities.”
He added that the partnership reflects “the power of public and private sector collaboration” in creating long-term opportunities for UAE Nationals through recruitment, development and career pathways across schools.
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New pathways into teaching for UAE Nationals
A key part of the initiative is Kon Moallim, ADEK’s postgraduate diploma in education programme delivered in partnership with the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE). The programme is designed to help UAE Nationals qualify and prepare for teaching careers.
The pathway is also supported by Midad, ADEK’s self-paced teaching bootcamp, which introduces aspiring educators to the profession and helps them build foundational classroom skills before progressing into teacher training.
Alongside teacher training, the partnership includes internships and entry-level opportunities for UAE Nationals, including up to 30 internships and up to 40 Classroom Assistant roles each year.
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar and Chairman of Aldar Education, said the partnership marks an important step in strengthening Emiratisation within Abu Dhabi’s education sector. Describing Emiratisation as “a nation-building imperative”, he added that “the UAE’s future depends on the strength of its human capital, which begins in the classroom.”
The agreement applies to Aldar Education’s network of 27 operated-and-managed schools, which currently educate more than 36,000 students in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The partnership reflects a wider focus on strengthening national teaching talent pipelines while creating long-term professional pathways for UAE Nationals in education.
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