Dubai tightens teacher hiring and conduct rules in private schools

Image: Dubai Media Office

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced two new technical guides aimed at improving staffing practices across the emirate’s private education sector, strengthening accountability, transparency, and teacher quality.

The Technical Guide for Appointing Teaching Staff in Private Schools in Dubai and the Staff Deregistration Technical Guide are designed to ensure every learner is supported by professionals who uphold standards of integrity, professionalism, and cultural respect.

The policies align with the emirate’s Education 33 (E33) Strategy, particularly its Doing Great, FlexiReg Framework, and All Rise game changers, which place student wellbeing and educational quality at the centre of transformation in Dubai’s private education sector.

“Empowering educators is central to the success of our Education 33 Strategy,” said Dr Amna Almaazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA. “These new guidelines represent a major step toward creating a stable and supportive environment for teachers and school communities, while ensuring all educators meet consistent, high-quality standards.”

Appointment guide

The appointment guide applies to all private schools in Dubai and is effective immediately for new and transferring teachers.

Key measures include:

Qualification standards: New teachers must meet KHDA-approved requirements, including teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Existing staff have until September 2028, or April 2029 for April-start schools, to comply.

Mandatory appointment notices: Required for every teacher and leader, replacing KHDA’s previous appointment letter.

90-day rule: Teachers who resign mid-term must wait 90 days before taking a new role, unless they complete their notice at the end of a term or semester.

Exit surveys: Required for all departing staff, to help track turnover trends.

Training and conduct: Induction training on safeguarding, inclusion, UAE values, and professional ethics, plus a signed Code of Conduct, is mandatory.

Deregistration policy

The Staff Deregistration Technical Guide sets out how schools should respond to misconduct and applies across all KHDA-regulated private education institutions, including early childhood centres, universities, technical institutes, and vocational centres.

Deregistration is the formal process by which KHDA prohibits an individual from working in any KHDA-regulated institution.

Criminal convictions, child protection breaches, or gross professional misconduct can lead to immediate termination.

Other behaviours such as inappropriate social media use, repeated dishonesty, or culturally insensitive actions may also result in deregistration if severe or recurring.

Regular training on ethics, professional conduct, and safeguarding is expected of all staff.

Both guides are available on the KHDA website, with briefing sessions planned for educators, HR professionals, and governing boards.

Read: Dubai’s higher education sector sees nearly 20% rise in enrollment