September 14, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Teacher eligibility criteria have been revised as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) unveiled a series of reforms targeting educators in private schools located in Dubai. Among these changes are more stringent eligibility requirements for teachers, as well as the establishment of a 90-day resignation rule for teachers. These initiatives are designed to advance the quality of education, minimize staff turnover, and enhance stability for students throughout the emirate.
Stricter Dubai Teacher Eligibility Criteria
KHDA has released two new policy documents: the Technical Guide for Appointing Teaching Staff in Private Schools and the Staff Deregistration Technical Guide. Together, these guidelines set out a stronger framework for teacher recruitment, conduct, and accountability under the updated Dubai teacher eligibility criteria.
Under the updated system, schools must follow a clear recruitment process before appointing teachers. This includes:
- Verifying academic qualifications and professional licenses.
- Checking employment references to confirm past experience.
- Conducting structured interviews with at least one safeguarding-trained panel member.
- Reviewing social media activity and overall professional behavior.
In addition, teachers must complete induction programs before starting work. The training will cover safeguarding, inclusion, UAE national values, and professional ethics. Each teacher will also be required to sign a Code of Conduct, confirming their commitment to the Dubai teacher eligibility criteria and professional standards.
Existing teachers will be given time to comply with the new requirements. Schools starting in September must ensure their staff meet the criteria by September 1, 2028. For schools that follow an April start date, the deadline is April 1, 2029. This grace period allows schools and staff to align qualifications and training with KHDA standards.
The updated rules also introduce stricter accountability. The Staff Deregistration Guide specifies conditions under which teachers can be permanently removed from Dubai’s teaching register. These include:
- Breaches of child protection standards.
- Criminal convictions.
- Cases of gross misconduct.
- Repeated dishonesty or unprofessional conduct, including online behavior.
- Acts considered culturally inappropriate or insensitive.
Once deregistered, teachers lose their appointment notice and cannot apply for positions at any KHDA-regulated private school, college, or training institution.
Read More: Food Inspections in Dubai Schools Tightened Under Safety Guidelines
90-Day Resignation Rule for Teachers
A key feature of the reform is the new 90-day resignation rule for teachers, which directly addresses the issue of mid-term resignations. KHDA has stated that sudden teacher exits disrupt student learning and place additional pressure on schools to find replacements.
According to the rule:
- Teachers resigning in the middle of a term or semester must wait 90 days before taking a new teaching job in another Dubai private school.
- The requirement applies even if the teacher serves their full contractual notice period.
- Teachers who leave at the end of a term or semester are not affected by the rule.
- Before moving to another role, departing teachers and school leaders must complete a mandatory Exit Survey.
The Exit Survey is designed to collect feedback on teacher experiences, reasons for leaving, and areas for improvement. KHDA plans to use the data to identify patterns and strengthen teacher retention across the sector.
This measure is expected to encourage teachers to complete academic terms and reduce sudden mid-year disruptions for students. It also gives schools more time to plan for staff transitions in an orderly way.
Wider Implications for Dubai’s Education Sector
The new regulations are expected to have a broad impact on teachers, schools, and families in Dubai.
For teachers, the rules highlight the importance of meeting the revised Dubai teacher eligibility criteria. Educators will need to maintain strong professional conduct, update qualifications if required, and be cautious about resigning mid-term due to the 90-day resignation rule for teachers. While some may find the restrictions challenging, the framework aims to raise the overall standard of teaching in the emirate.
For schools, the reforms require significant updates to recruitment and HR processes. Institutions must verify qualifications, provide induction training, and carefully document compliance with KHDA guidelines. Schools will also need to support existing staff through the transition period, ensuring they meet the deadlines set for 2028 and 2029.
For parents and students, the changes promise greater continuity in classrooms. Reducing teacher turnover should limit disruptions in the middle of the year, allowing students to benefit from consistent instruction. The focus on teacher accountability and safeguarding also aims to create a safer, more reliable learning environment.
Dubai has long positioned itself as a regional and global hub for education. By strengthening teacher standards and reducing instability, KHDA seeks to reinforce the emirate’s reputation and ensure that private schools meet international expectations of quality and professionalism.
What Lies Ahead
The recent implementation of more stringent teacher eligibility criteria, along with the establishment of a 90-day resignation rule for teachers, represents a significant advancement in the educational reforms underway in Dubai. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has delineated specific timelines for schools to achieve compliance, providing them with a designated period during which they must adapt while concurrently ensuring consistent progress toward enhanced educational standards.
In the years to come, various stakeholders will closely monitor the execution of these policies by schools and evaluate the ways in which teachers adapt to the revised requirements. By the academic year 2028-2029, the outlined framework will reach full implementation, resulting in substantial changes to the processes of recruitment, retention, and accountability within Dubai’s private education sector.
These reforms convey an unequivocal message regarding the priorities of the educational landscape in Dubai; specifically, they emphasize the importance of maintaining high-quality teaching, ensuring classroom stability, and promoting student well-being as essential elements in the ongoing enhancement of the region’s education system.
Also Read: Dubai School Holiday Calendar 2025–2026: Plan Holidays Ahead
