Abu Dhabi Introduces Comprehensive Employment Policies for Private Schools

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has introduced new employment policies for private schools, mandating specific staff positions, qualifications, and policies to ensure the smooth operation of educational institutions and uphold the rights of employees and students.

Mandatory Full-Time Positions

Under the revised policy, private schools in Abu Dhabi must maintain six essential full-time positions: principal, vice-principal, head of inclusion, health and safety officer, social worker, and nurse. Newly established schools with fewer than 500 students may appoint a senior leader as acting vice-principal for the initial five years.

Additional roles, such as career guidance counsellors for higher grade levels, may be required by other Adek policies but are not part of this compulsory list for licensing.

Compliance and Vacancy Management

The policy mandates that all teaching positions be filled at all times. In the event of a vacancy, a substitute teacher must be appointed on a temporary basis. While the updated policy took effect at the start of the 2024/25 academic year, schools must fully comply by February 1, 2026.

Qualifications and Licensing Requirements

Existing staff who do not meet new qualification requirements can retain their positions with timelines for necessary upskilling. Leadership staff without teaching experience must obtain an educational leadership license by the 2026/27 academic year, while teachers without formal teaching credentials need a QFE 6 (Diploma) qualification or teaching license to continue employment or change schools.

For new hires, Adek requires all staff to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in its staff policy. Schools can temporarily assign existing staff in core positions in an “acting” capacity for up to six months, as long as the candidate consents and meets the qualification but not the experience requirements. The acting role is explicitly marked in their job title, and this experience counts towards their work history.

Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination

Adek’s policy prioritizes inclusivity, prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, social origin, or disability. Schools must ensure equal employment opportunities and provide necessary accommodations for People of Determination (PoD). Adek encourages schools to recruit PoD applicants, ensuring their needs are considered in hiring decisions.

While inclusivity is emphasized, gender restrictions apply to specific roles, and schools must follow these gender-based guidelines.

Multiple Roles and Adek Pass Registration

Staff may take on up to three roles with their written consent, and they can additionally hold extracurricular roles (e.g., club supervisors). All roles must be declared in Adek Pass, the staff licensing portal, where schools must register each staff member and secure appointment letters or work permits before employment begins.

Employment of Minors

The policy includes guidelines for the employment of juveniles in private schools. Students may work during free periods or after school hours, with strict supervision. Non-student minors must be given the same rights as student employees.

Employee Welfare and Leave Entitlements

Adek requires transparency regarding working hours, probation periods, and various leave entitlements, including maternity, sick, bereavement, parental, and study leave (with sabbatical leave reserved for UAE Nationals). The policy caps probation periods at six months, during which staff must be paid full wages, even during school holidays.

Schools are also obligated to share a comprehensive staff calendar, outlining school holidays and required workdays, with separate calendars for different staff roles as necessary.

Termination Regulations

To maintain stability, Adek prohibits the termination of leadership or teaching staff mid-academic term without prior approval. In cases of serious misconduct, schools may terminate staff without notice, following a formal investigation.

Through these guidelines, Adek seeks to establish a secure, inclusive, and professionally rewarding environment for both educators and students in Abu Dhabi’s private schools.

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