The UAE Ministry of Education (formerly Emirates School Establishment)  hires hundreds of expatriate teachers to work in state schools across the United Arab Emirates, mostly in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.  Working in a state school system gives you the financial benefits of teaching abroad with the stability of working for the state sector. The UAE is a stable and welcoming country and an amazing, multicultural stepping stone to a great international teaching career.

Subjects and Levels Needed

  • Cycle 2 (grades 5-8)
    • English Specialist teachers
    • Mathematics Specialist Teachers
    • Science Specialist teachers
  • Cycle 3 (grades 9-12)
    • English Specialist Teachers
    • Mathematics Specialist Teachers
    • Science Specialist Teachers

Salary and benefits:

  • Salary of 16,000-21,000 AED per month (US$4300-5700 per month), tax-free.
  • Health insurance (UAE-wide)
  • Flights and medical for the teacher, spouse and up to 3 children under the age of 18 at beginning and end of service*
  • Note: the salary is inclusive of housing allowance, and school fees are the responsibility of the teacher.  Housing will cost appx 3000-6000 or more aed/month and it is up to the teacher to secure their own.

*Teachers with current UAE residency do not receive flights for self, spouse or family. 

Opportunity description:

  • State schools across the United Arab Emirates
  • Curriculum: UAE national curriculum (related to US Common Core)
  • Language of Instruction for subjects taught by foreign teachers: English
  • School week: Monday – Thursday with half day Friday
  • School year: Starts in August and lasts 186-188 days.

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Important notes

These are state schools serving Emirati students and parents. Because of the size and the required flexibility of such a large, Emirate-wide programme, teachers will not know the exact location of their schools before arrival, but as you make your own living arrangements, you can choose where you rent and live after arrival.  If you have a spouse already in the UAE or with a valid employment contract from the UAE, every effort will be made to place you as close as possible to your/your spouse’s residence.

Teachers, once their residency has been processed, and then they can sponsor residency visas for their spouse and children per UAE law, but note that travel visa costs, school tuition fees,  and housing costs are the responsibility of the teacher. Foreign children cannot normally attend UAE state schools.

The first language of Emirati children is Arabic, so teachers must be skilled and prepared to teach children for whom English is not the first language.  Good relationship building and positive behaviour management skills are also essential.

General requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree related to teaching subject with a good /very good grade point average
  • Teacher training, such as a B’Ed, PGCE, QTS, or US Teacher certification, is required for Kindergarten and Primary positions.
  • Under age 50 at the start of contract for Cycle 2 and 3, Under 45 at the start of contract for Cycle 1
  • 2 years of relevant post-qualification teaching experience using the medium of English at the time of interview++
  • Complete fluency in English. If not holding a passport from a country where English is the sole/main language, IELTS testing is required.
  • Ability to provide the required documentation during the process**

++ This means you must have completed university graduation and teacher training no later than  December 2023**Documentation required during the application and visa process:

Initial application:

If successful, to initiate and process the visa:

  • Passport copy
  • Birth Certificate
  • Qualifications – Teaching certificates, Bachelor’s degree and above (either Master’s or PHD if applicable), which must later be attested during the visa process.
  • Transcripts for all degrees (Bachelor’s and above)
  • Police clearance, which clearly shows you are not barred from working with children
  • If in the UAE already, copies of your residency visa and Emirates ID
  • Experience letters to support experience related to your teaching subject.
  • Attested degree, transcript, and, if appropriate, marriage certificate
  • IELTS certificate for non-native English speakers at the application for English, Kindergarten, Primary, and Business teachers, and within 6 months of joining for all other subjects. English teachers must be 7 Academic/7.5 General. All others 6 Academic/6.5 General.