Aldar Education has signed a landmark partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to recruit more than 300 Emirati teachers and staff across its Abu Dhabi schools. The initiative marks one of the UAE’s most ambitious Emiratisation drives in the private education sector.
Under the agreement, Aldar Education plans to increase the number of UAE nationals in its workforce by nearly nine times over the coming years. The programme will also introduce more than 100 Emirati teachers who are new to the education sector.
Moreover, the partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen national participation in private-sector employment, especially in future-focused industries such as education.
Emirati Teachers to Lead Social Studies Departments
As part of the agreement, Aldar Education will ensure that all Social Studies teaching positions across its operated schools are filled by Emirati educators within the next three years.
The move reflects the UAE leadership’s growing emphasis on preserving national identity and cultural values through education. In addition, it creates long-term career opportunities for local talent within the country’s expanding private school ecosystem.
This agreement is also the first partnership of its kind between ADEK and a private education provider in Abu Dhabi.
ADEK’s Kon Moallim Programme to Create Teaching Pathways
The partnership introduces a structured recruitment pathway for Emiratis who complete ADEK’s Kon Moallim programme. The postgraduate diploma in education is delivered in collaboration with Emirates College for Advanced Education.
Graduates from the programme will receive direct access to teaching opportunities within Aldar Education schools. As a result, the initiative is expected to accelerate the transition of Emirati graduates into classrooms across Abu Dhabi.
Beyond Social Studies, the recruitment drive will focus on Ministry of Education subjects, Special Educational Needs (SEN), Foundation Stage, and Kindergarten teaching roles.
Internship and Career Development Opportunities for UAE Nationals
Aldar Education will also expand early-career opportunities for Emiratis through internships and classroom assistant positions.
The group plans to offer up to 30 internships annually, alongside nearly 40 classroom assistant roles each year. These programmes aim to provide practical experience and create a sustainable pipeline of Emirati educators.
Furthermore, the partnership includes a multi-year talent development initiative designed to prepare new Emirati teachers for the workforce by the 2030-2031 academic year.
Joint Committee to Oversee Hiring and Retention Targets
To ensure accountability, Aldar Education and ADEK will establish a joint steering committee to monitor implementation and performance metrics.
The committee will track recruitment progress, employee retention, and career advancement opportunities for UAE nationals. It will also evaluate the readiness of candidates graduating from ADEK-supported teacher training programmes.
Importantly, the framework supports national employment initiatives such as NAFIS and Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The collaboration will focus on long-term talent retention, aligned hiring cycles, and professional development incentives.
Abu Dhabi Accelerates Education Sector Emiratisation
The partnership arrives as the UAE intensifies efforts to meet Emiratisation targets across sectors. Education has emerged as a priority area due to rising demand for skilled teachers and culturally rooted learning environments.
With private education expanding rapidly in Abu Dhabi, the Aldar-ADEK collaboration could become a model for future public-private partnerships focused on developing national talent.
