With enrolments increasing, schools are actively expanding their hiring efforts to attract both local and international teaching talent.
Dubai: As the UAE’s summer break nears and schools prepare for the 2026–27 academic year, leading education providers are actively recruiting teachers, with many already having secured most of their staffing requirements.
International schools offering British, American, and IB curricula are competing globally for top-tier educators, making teacher recruitment more competitive than ever. Demand is not limited to overseas professionals, as UAE-based teachers are also increasingly in demand.
Getting ahead of the competition, Taaleem—one of the UAE’s largest education providers overseeing more than 30 schools—began hiring for the upcoming academic year well before the current one had ended.“Any additional recruitment is largely driven by enrolment growth and strong demand for places across our schools,” said Nicki Williams, Director of Education at Taaleem, speaking to Gulf News. “This is especially important in specialist subjects such as Mathematics and Science, which remain internationally recognised shortage areas.”
To meet this demand, schools are carrying out broad international talent searches each year, identifying and engaging potential candidates well in advance of peak recruitment periods.
“By starting early, we are able to secure high-calibre candidates before the peak recruitment period,” they added.
“We recruit both internationally and within the UAE, combining global expertise with the experience of teachers who already understand the local educational landscape. This blend of talent helps ensure that our schools benefit from diverse perspectives, strong teaching practice, and continuity for students and families,” said Nicki Williams, Director of Education at Taaleem.
What schools are looking for
Beyond subject expertise, schools are increasingly prioritising educators who can inspire as well as teach. The most in-demand candidates are those who can develop students’ critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and independent learning skills, which are now central to modern curricula.
Strong classroom practice, effective communication skills, and the ability to integrate technology meaningfully into lessons are also highly valued. Cultural adaptability is another key requirement, particularly in the UAE’s diverse international school environment.
“International schools are particularly looking for educators who are adaptable, culturally aware, and able to contribute positively to diverse school communities,” Williams noted. “Teachers who embrace innovation while maintaining high standards of teaching and learning are especially valued.”
Student wellbeing, along with the ability to build strong, positive relationships with both pupils and their families, has also been highlighted as an increasingly important quality.
Local talent also plays a key role. GEMS Education, one of the world’s largest private K–12 education providers with more than 60 schools across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe, highlighted the importance of a broad recruitment approach while also valuing teachers already based in the UAE.
“Teachers already working in the UAE often bring a strong understanding of the local educational landscape, regulatory environment, and the diverse communities we serve,” said Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education.
Varkey added that geography is not the key factor in recruitment. “Ultimately, the focus is not on where a teacher is based, but on their ability to deliver outstanding learning experiences and make a meaningful impact in the classroom.”
He also noted that teachers today look beyond salary alone, prioritising organisations that invest in professional development, offer clear career progression, foster purpose-driven work, and provide opportunities to create meaningful impact.
Keeping great teachers: the retention challenge
While attracting talent remains important, schools are increasingly focusing on retention as teacher turnover continues to be a sector-wide challenge.
GEMS Education, which employs more than 3,000 staff, highlights employee longevity as one of the strongest indicators of a positive workplace culture. The group supports this through structured career progression, internal mobility, leadership pathways, and ongoing professional development programmes across all stages of a teacher’s career.
While competitive salaries and family-friendly benefits remain important—especially for educators relocating from abroad—Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, noted a clear shift in what teachers are seeking today.
“Increasingly, we find that teachers are looking beyond salary alone. They want to work in organisations that invest in their development, provide clear career pathways, foster a strong sense of purpose, and offer opportunities to make a meaningful impact.”
As the UAE’s education sector continues to expand, driven by population growth and rising demand for quality schooling, competition for exceptional teachers is expected to remain intense. For schools that successfully balance recruitment and retention, the benefits extend far beyond staffing stability.
