The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge and Aldar have signed a strategic partnership to accelerate Emiratisation in the education sector through a structured talent development roadmap aimed at driving a ninefold increase in UAE Nationals representation across key roles in Aldar operated schools.
The landmark agreement is the first of its kind between ADEK and a private sector education provider, marking a significant shift in how the UAE develops and deploys Emirati teaching talent at scale.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Aldar Education will lead recruitment, deployment and career progression opportunities for UAE Nationals across its schools, while ADEK will support the initiative by establishing talent entry pathways and preparing qualified Emirati candidates through teacher preparation and training programmes.
As part of the partnership, Aldar Education will work towards hiring more than 300 UAE Nationals, including over 100 Emirati teachers who are new to the sector. The organisation will also ensure all Social Studies teaching positions across its operated schools are occupied by Emirati educators within the next three years.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Teacher Talent Strategy
The collaboration builds on ADEK’s recently announced teacher talent approach, which positions teachers as the key drivers of student success and enablers of national priorities.
Anchored in the Abu Dhabi Educators’ Proficiency Framework, the strategy focuses on strengthening teacher standards, enhancing professional development and creating diversified pathways to attract experienced and passionate educators into Abu Dhabi classrooms.
The partnership was inaugurated in the presence of H.E. Mohamed Taj Eddine Ahmed Alqadi, Chairman of ADEK, and H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar Group. Mariam Alhallami, ADEK’s Private Education and Charter Schools Sector Executive Director, and Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education, signed the agreement.
Leadership Comments
The partnership reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to strengthen Emiratisation in the education sector by creating structured pathways for UAE Nationals to enter and thrive in teaching careers. Through initiatives such as Kon Moallim, ADEK supports aspiring educators with postgraduate qualifications and professional preparation, while private sector partners help translate this talent pipeline into long-term career opportunities.
H.E. Mohamed Al Qadi, Chairman of ADEK, said,
“Teachers are the single most important factor in achieving educational excellence, and developing a strong national teaching workforce remains central to Abu Dhabi’s long-term education priorities. This MoU reflects the power of public and private sector collaboration in translating national talent development priorities into tangible opportunities.”
Under the agreement, Aldar Education will support the recruitment, development, and career progression of qualified Emirati teachers across its network of schools, helping strengthen the local education workforce and contribute to the emirate’s long-term educational goals.
The collaboration also aligns with wider national ambitions to increase Emirati participation in key sectors and build future-ready talent. As the first private education provider to enter into a strategic partnership of this kind with ADEK, Aldar Education aims to play a leading role in advancing Emiratisation within the education sector.
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar and Chairman of Aldar Education, said,
“Emiratisation is a nation-building imperative, and one that Aldar is committed to advancing across every dimension of our business. The UAE’s future depends on the strength of its human capital, which begins in the classroom.”
He added that the partnership reinforces Aldar’s long-term commitment to supporting the UAE’s national vision by helping develop the next generation of educators and learners.
Kon Moallim and Midad Pathways
A central element of the partnership is a structured recruitment pathway for UAE Nationals completing ADEK’s Kon Moallim programme, a postgraduate diploma in education delivered in collaboration with the Emirates College for Advanced Education.
The initiative is designed to build a sustainable pipeline of high-calibre Emirati teaching talent.
The pathway is further supported through Midad, ADEK’s self-paced teaching bootcamp that enables aspiring educators to explore teaching careers and build foundational classroom skills. Advanced candidates can progress into Kon Moallim and pursue long-term teaching careers.
Interested members of the Abu Dhabi community can learn more through ADEK Apply Portal.
Focus on Emirati Teachers Across Specialist Subjects
The partnership supports wider national priorities aimed at increasing the presence of UAE Nationals in teaching positions across schools, including the national objective to have Social Studies teaching roles occupied by Emiratis across all schools within the next three years.
Beyond Social Studies, the agreement also prioritises growth across Ministry of Education subjects, Special Educational Needs, Foundation Stage and KG classrooms.
Aldar’s multi-year talent development programme will continue introducing Emirati educators who are new to the sector into the workforce by the 2030/2031 academic year, helping build a workforce aligned with the UAE’s national identity and knowledge-driven vision.
Internship and Early Career Opportunities
The agreement also includes the formation of a joint steering committee to oversee implementation and track key performance indicators related to recruitment, retention and career progression for UAE National talent.
The framework aligns with national initiatives including NAFIS and MOHRE, focusing on recognition of new-to-sector teacher development, academic-year hiring cycles and long-term retention incentives.
In addition, Aldar Education will continue creating structured early-career pathways for UAE Nationals through internships and entry-level opportunities, including up to 30 internships annually and up to 40 Classroom Assistant opportunities each year.
Together, ADEK and Aldar Education aim to establish a more localised, resilient and future-ready education workforce aligned with the UAE’s long-term national vision.
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