Teaching Contracts in Dubai and other GCC cities: What You Need to Know

The UAE’s education system comprises public and private schools. Public schools are funded by the government and are composed entirely of Emirati students. The language of instruction is Arabic but expat teachers are employed for specialist subjects and to teach English. The private school sector is made up of international schools following curricula from the UK, the US, and International Baccalaureate (IB). As a teacher from Ireland, you will most likely find yourself in an international school, British curriculum or an IB school (for more details see our post: ‘Understanding the UAE Education System: Insights Educators’). This article will focus on teaching contracts in general in the UAE and what you should expect. 

Types of Teaching Contracts in Dubai and other UAE emirates:

Fixed-term contracts are most common in the UAE's education sector, particularly in private schools. These contracts have a specified duration, typically ranging from one to three years. At the end of the contract term, it may be renewed based on mutual agreement between the teacher and the school. Key features of fixed-term contracts include:

• Defined Duration: The contract specifies the start and end dates.

• Benefits and Compensation: Salary, benefits, and other terms are clearly outlined.

• Renewal Terms: Conditions for contract renewal or termination are specified.

Key Elements of a Teaching Contracts: 

Compensation: 

This section will include the monetary compensation you will receive monthly. How this is broken down will vary from school to school. Broadly, this might include: 

• Basic salary. Note that this is what will be used to calculate your end of service payment.

• Housing allowance: the amount the school will pay each month for your rent. This will not apply should you take school accommodation - it might be compulsory that you take school supplied accommodation in your first year. This has pros and cons. The main benefit to you with this option is that you will not have to go looking for an apartment - everything will be ready for you when you arrive.

See ‘Housing in the UAE: A Guide for Educators’ for more information on housing. 

• Travel allowance - to cover the costs of getting to and from work. Some schools do not pay this if their basic pay is comparatively higher than other schools.  

• After school activities - not always included but some schools will include this as a payment for holding a weekly after-school activity or club. 

Benefits: 

These of course vary in terms of the quality offered but the key benefits are:

• Gratuity payment: this is the amount the school will pay you when you complete your contract. This is usually one month's basic salary for every year completed. You can refer to the Labour Law for details on how this is calculated. 

• Housing allowance: already mentioned above - your school may require you to take the accommodation they provide. If not, it will be paid to you monthly or the school will pay your landlord directly - it will depend. 

• Flight allowance: you will receive an annual flight allowance. This is paid each year and covers the cost of a flight to your home country. There may be a predefined limit on this and how you receive this will be dependent on your school; for example, you might pay and then claim the amount back. 

• Medical insurance: you will be added to the school’s medical insurance cover. 

Other considerations: 

Probation period: 

There will usually be a probationary period which could range from 3 to 6 months. During this time, your performance, compatibility with the school environment, and overall fit are evaluated. 

Administrative Duties:

• Compliance with Policies

  • Following school policies, national education regulations, and labour laws. 

  • This includes compliance with health and safety standards, ethical guidelines, and safeguarding requirements. 

• Administrative Tasks: Completing administrative duties such as attending staff meetings, participating in school events, and fulfilling supervisory roles during extracurricular activities. Teachers will also be involved in school improvement initiatives and accreditation processes which may require additional hours around the time of inspections. 

Extracurricular Involvement:

It is commonly expected that you contribute to students' participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, clubs, and community service projects. Teachers may serve as advisors or coaches, fostering students' personal and social development. Assisting with the organisation and execution of school events, including assemblies, cultural programs, and educational trips is also an expectation. You will also need to attend after-school meetings and other events that might take place throughout the school year after school hours. 

Working Hours and Teaching Load:

Teaching in the UAE can be demanding, with longer working hours and high expectations for both academic and extracurricular involvement. However, the financial benefits (tax-free salaries, housing allowances, and other perks) can significantly enhance the overall quality of life. 

That being said, the UAE promotes a very healthy work-life balance - Fridays are a half day for all schools for example. The working hours and teaching load can vary significantly depending on the position you hold, the type of school and the level of education. The school day usually starts around 7:30 AM and ends between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM - depending on the school and grade level. Teachers are often expected to arrive before students and may stay after school hours for meetings, preparation, or extracurricular activities. 

Teaching loads can vary. The number of teaching periods per week can range from 15 to 30, depending on the school’s schedule and the teacher’s role. It is important to note though that each school will have different period lengths - from 30 minutes to one hour generally speaking. You will have non-contact time throughout the week which you will use for planning, preparation, assessment and feedback.