Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched two new technical documents aimed at enhancing staffing practices within the private education sector of the emirate. These initiatives are focused on boosting accountability, transparency, and the overall quality of teachers.
The Technical Guide for Hiring Teaching Staff in Private Schools in Dubai and the Technical Guide for Staff Deregistration seek to ensure that every student is supported by qualified professionals who adhere to standards of integrity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
The new guidelines are in line with the emirate’s Education 33 (E33) Strategy, notably its Doing Great, FlexiReg Framework, and All Rise initiatives, which prioritize the wellbeing of students and the quality of education as pivotal elements of transformation within Dubai’s private educational institutions.
“Enabling our educators is crucial to the success of our Education 33 Strategy,” stated Dr. Amna Almaazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA. “These new guidelines are a significant advancement towards fostering a stable and supportive environment for teachers and school communities, while ensuring that all educators maintain consistent, high-quality standards.”
Guide for Appointments
This appointment guide is applicable to all private schools in Dubai and is effective immediately for newly recruited and transferring teachers.
Key elements include:
Qualification requirements: Newly hired teachers must comply with KHDA-approved standards, which includes specific stipulations for teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Existing faculty members have until September 2028, or April 2029 for those starting their term in April, to meet these requirements.
Mandatory appointment notifications: Each teacher and leader must receive a formal appointment letter, which replaces the previous documentation from KHDA.
90-day waiting period: Teachers who resign during a term must wait 90 days before accepting a new position, unless they complete their notice period at the end of a term or semester.
Exit surveys: All departing staff are required to complete exit surveys to help monitor turnover trends.
Training and conduct: Induction training covering safeguarding, inclusivity, UAE values, and professional ethics is required, along with a signed Code of Conduct.
Deregistration Guidelines
The Staff Deregistration Technical Guide outlines the procedures for schools to follow in cases of misconduct and is applicable to all KHDA-regulated private education institutions, including early childhood centres, universities, technical schools, and vocational training centres.
Deregistration refers to the process by which KHDA disallows an individual from holding a position in any KHDA-regulated institution.
Immediate termination may result from criminal convictions, violations of child protection laws, or serious professional misconduct.
Other inappropriate behaviours, such as improper use of social media, repeated dishonesty, or actions deemed culturally insensitive, could also lead to deregistration if they are identified as serious or recurring issues.
Ongoing training in ethics, professional behaviour, and safeguarding is expected of all staff members.
Both guides can be accessed on the KHDA website, with briefing sessions scheduled for educators, human resources specialists, and governing bodies.
Note: Dubai’s higher education sector has experienced an almost 20% increase in enrollment