The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has unveiled a bold new policy aimed at increasing the number of UAE nationals within the private education sector. Over the next five years, the initiative seeks to place at least 2,000 Emirati educators in classrooms across the emirate. This project, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis), prioritizes teaching roles in subjects such as Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies. To kickstart the campaign, major private school operators like GEMS Education, Taaleem, SABIS, Liwa Education, and International Community Schools have already pledged to hire hundreds of local teachers.

To support this transition, Adek is introducing various professional development pathways and financial incentives to attract and retain local talent. Programs like "Midad" and "Kon Moallim," created in collaboration with the Emirates College for Advanced Education, provide structured routes for aspiring teachers, including sponsored postgraduate diplomas. Furthermore, through the Nafis Teachers Programme, participants can access monthly financial incentives during their training. By integrating these new educators through specialized employment contracts that offer early career exposure and pension benefits, Abu Dhabi is creating a sustainable framework to ensure that Emirati professionals become a cornerstone of the private school landscape.