Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has released two new technical guides designed to enhance staffing practices within the emirate’s private education sector. The initiatives aim to reinforce accountability, transparency, and teaching standards.
The Technical Guide for Appointing Teaching Staff in Private Schools in Dubai and the Staff Deregistration Technical Guide seek to ensure that every student is supported by professionals committed to integrity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
These measures support the emirate’s Education 33 (E33) Strategy, particularly its Doing Great, FlexiReg Framework, and All Rise initiatives, which place student wellbeing and educational excellence at the core of Dubai’s private education transformation.
“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 significant step towards 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 immediately effective for new and transferring teachers.
Key Measures Include:
Qualification standards: All teachers, including those teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies, must meet KHDA-approved requirements. Existing staff must comply by September 2028, or April 2029 for April-start schools.
Mandatory appointment notices: Required for each teacher and leader, replacing KHDA’s earlier appointment letter.
90-day rule: Teachers resigning mid-term must observe a 90-day break before taking a new position unless their notice ends with a term or semester.
Exit surveys: Compulsory for all departing staff to monitor turnover patterns.
Training and conduct: Induction training on safeguarding, inclusion, UAE values, and ethics is mandatory, along with a signed Code of Conduct.
Deregistration Policy
The Staff Deregistration Technical Guide outlines the process for addressing misconduct and is applicable across all KHDA-regulated institutions, including early childhood centres, universities, technical institutes, and vocational centres.
Deregistration formally prevents an individual from working in any KHDA-regulated institution. Grounds include criminal convictions, child protection violations, or gross professional misconduct.
Other behaviours such as misuse of social media, repeated dishonesty, or culturally inappropriate actions may also lead to deregistration if persistent or serious.
All staff are expected to undergo regular training on professional ethics, safeguarding, and conduct.
Both guides are available on the KHDA website, with briefing sessions planned for educators, HR leaders, and governing boards.
