Abu Dhabi FAQ

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN ABU DHABI

How many primary and secondary schools are there in Abu Dhabi?

The Ministry of Education in the UAE is responsible for three regions that include Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, and Al Gharbia. In total, there are 89 Cycle 1 (primary) schools covering Kindergarten through to grade five. Secondary schools are broken into two Cycles: Cycle 2 covers grades 6-9 while Cycle 3 covers grades 10-12. Cycle 2 has 62 schools and Cycle 3 has 45 schools.

Although the emirate of Abu Dhabi has 305 government schools in total, there are approximately an additional 150 private international schools.

How old are students in Abu Dhabi public schools?

In primary Cycle 1 (grades kinder-5) students are 4 to 11 years of age. In secondary schools, Cycles 2 & 3, students are 11 to 18 years of age.

How large are classes in Abu Dhabi public schools?

Typically there are 20-30 students and one teacher per class.

Who will be my employer in Abu Dhabi?

All teachers hired to teach in public schools in Abu Dhabi are officially hired by the government of Abu Dhabi. While teachers technically report to the school principal, they do not need to sign contracts with individual schools.

What support is offered to teachers in Abu Dhabi?

All successful candidates will attend orientation sessions upon arrival which will provide a wealth of information about teaching in Abu Dhabi, adjusting to the culture, and all other aspects of life in Abu Dhabi. In addition to the orientation, there are many social, sport, and cultural clubs that teachers may join in order to meet other foreigners and build a support network.

What are the teaching hours in Abu Dhabi public schools?

Typical teaching hours in Abu Dhabi are 7:30am until 2:00pm with staff and planning meetings to follow. Exact school hours may differ depending on the school provider, and level of students. Meetings are not held on all days, but are mandatory. Like with any teaching job, teachers should plan to be at school a full working day even if they are not required to teach the entire time.

Is there an opportunity to get involved with extra-curricular activities at school?

Extra curricular activities are usually less frequent and voluntary in Abu Dhabi. If teachers are interested in participating in an extra-curricular activity, they will need to speak to their individual schools.

How many foreign teachers are there in public schools in Abu Dhabi?

There are usually 3-5 foreign teachers working at primary schools in Abu Dhabi. Having other foreign staff at school can be very beneficial for teachers as it offers an additional support network. High schools may only employ 1 foreign teacher per school.

CULTURE IN ABU DHABI SCHOOLS

Are students in Abu Dhabi well behaved?

Student behaviour vaires according to school, age and gender of the students. Some teachers enjoy easy to manage classrooms, while others must work hard with classroom management.

Will all students in Abu Dhabi speak English?

No, English has been recently introduced as the teaching language in the curriculum. Therefore, English proficiency is quite low.

Are all subjects in Abu Dhabi taught in English?

No, only English, Math, and Science are taught in English. All other subjects are taught in Arabic. Foreign teachers will conduct classes only in English.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Are teachers in Abu Dhabi responsible for working on weekends and national holidays?

No, as a teacher in Abu Dhabi you will only work Sunday to Thursday. Abu Dhabi schools are closed on weekends and national holidays.

When is vacation time in Abu Dhabi?

Summer vacation in Abu Dhabi usually starts approximately in mid-June and runs until the second week of August. Teachers will be informed of the specific dates of the summer vacation at the beginning of the school year. Foreign teachers will be paid for all national holidays that fall within a working week and all school vacation.

SALARY & BENEFITS

How is my salary assessed?

Salaries of teachers working for the Abu Dhabi Education Council are determined based upon experience and qualifications.

Will I be taxed on my salary in Abu Dhabi?

No, salary in the United Arab Emirates is tax free so teachers will not be deducted any income tax. However, teachers will want to check with their home country regarding tax requirements and their responsibilities while teaching overseas.

Is my flight to Abu Dhabi paid for?

Yes, each teacher will receive a reimbursement for their air ticket to the UAE at the commencement of their contract and the end of their contract. Yearly air-tickets are also provided in between the years of the contract. Flights are paid for the teacher, their spouse, and up to three dependents up to the age of 18.

Will I have health insurance in Abu Dhabi and who pays for it?

Each teacher is provided with medical insurance once the necessary paper work is completed upon arrival to the UAE. Upon arrival, teachers are given information about the insurance plans and providers available.

The Education Council is responsible for 100% of the premium of the medical insurance as per the approved government health care plan. Health care is most often arranged with a private health care provided as it is convenient and reasonably priced. Dental is most often not included.

Is there a completion bonus for the contract?

Yes, teachers will be paid an end of contract bonus equal to the amount of one months salary per year at the completion of the contract. All contracts are 2 years in length.