Dubai: Want to become a teacher in a private school? Qualification, requirements explained

Be it helping little ones learn the basics or guiding nearly young adults as they fly out of the nest, teachers play a prominent role in society, as they shape views of the future generation.

The UAE is known for its diverse range of curriculums catering to various nationalities that reside in the country. There are primarily two types of educational institutions in the country — private and public.

For expats who are looking to have a career in the teaching profession in Dubai, private schools are a good option. These schools come under the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) that regulates private education in the city.

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The Ministry of Education on the other hand, is a federal body that overlooks all forms of education in the country.

From qualifications to legal status, here is what it takes to become a teacher in Dubai.

What is the process?

Be it public or private schools, teachers need to have a minimum 4-year experience to teach in the UAE. Here is what the process for private schools in Dubai looks like:

Requirements to be met

For a teacher to obtain a UAE work permit to begin teaching, schools in Dubai need to apply for an 'Initial Appointment'. The documents for this differ depending on the type of teacher the applicant has applied for.

Class teacher: For applicants who are looking to become class teachers, a recognised Bachelor Degree in Education (B.Ed) is required. Applicants may also submit a postgraduate certificate/diploma in education or Master Degree in Education (M.Ed).

Subject teacher: For those applying to become a subject teacher, a minimum qualification of a recognised bachelor degree related to the subject being taught is required.

These documents must be original. If they have been attained from universities outside the UAE, then the certificate needs to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the country's embassy in the UAE.

After a teacher receives the Initial Appointment in Dubai, they have to register on the Educator Permit System. There are different types of qualifications that applicants must check out when applying for this.

Subject Qualification: These requirements are the same as those for the Initial Appointment, which classify into class teachers and subject teachers.

Teacher Preparation Qualification (Subject teachers): Particular subject teachers need to have a recognised teacher preparation qualification. At a higher diploma level or above, this must cover topics like:

Teachers who want to pursue teaching English as a subject, must have an additional qualification of teaching English as a second or foreign language. This includes qualifications like CELTA, DELTA, TESOL.

Additional requirements: Applicants who are teaching a vocational program must have a proper qualification for it that certifies and provides proof for it.

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