As you read this blog, you're probably thinking, "Why should I teach in the UAE?".
The simple answer to this question is–taking your teaching career to the United Arab Emirates is a smart investment for your future.
According to a recent study by HSBC, the UAE spends nearly twice as much on education as countries around the world. Hence, the education market in the region draws a lot of attention from investors, providers and students. This not only impacts the quality of education but also affects the its stakeholders (especially teachers)---to grow exponentially in the light of this rewarding market climate.
The quality of the UAE’s primary and higher education systems ranks among the top 20 systems globally with its scale and ambition growing continuously. If this doesn’t make you pack your bags and hop into teaching opportunities in the UAE, the following 7 reasons would definitely do the trick!
In the UAE, the average salary of a teacher stands anywhere between AED 10,000 and AED 12,000 per month. Eager to fill teacher shortages, UAE schools are rapidly hiring qualified teachers from overseas, offering them the best pay packages and benefits.
The best part is that teachers’ salaries in UAE are tax-free! This means zero tax liability and a lot of savings for you!
As a UAE teacher, you never have to worry about rent or health expenses because most schools cover them for you. Some schools even offer round-trip fares for an annual visit home and bear the educational expenses of your children. Typically, more experience results in higher pay and more benefits.
This simply means a lot more savings and a lot less stress for you!
UAE emphasises a lot on quality of teachers and regulates who can enter the teaching profession with the requirement of a teaching license. Teachers are expected to work in a culturally diverse environment and have the requisite license and qualifications. Your credentials as a licensed teacher with a background in teaching culturally diverse learners earn you a lot of respect around the world.
School teachers in the UAE have access to professional development workshops and in-school teacher networks that cover subject matter material and pedagogical skills. With the abundance of funds in the country, the ministry continuously seeks to accomplish high-quality teacher training for both pre-service and in-service teachers.
It's worth noting that as an international educator, you'll not only gain valuable cultural experience, but you'll also build a resume with a diverse teaching background. You gain more respect, more opportunities, and more money, all while doing something meaningful.
As a teacher in the UAE, you have the flexibility to explore different curricula. You can choose from a healthy mix of schools in UAE—Vocational Schools and Colleges, Private International Schools, and Public Schools. Even better, you can explore your options and choose the school with curricula of your choice—British, CBSE, American, IB, French, Cambridge, UAE National and more.
The holiday calendar is quite considerate in the UAE schools, with three generous breaks throughout the year:
- A winter break: two and half weeks from mid-December to early January.
- A spring break: three weeks from late March to early April
- A summer break: eight weeks between late June and early September.
Apart from these generous breaks, teachers also get to enjoy 14 days off for public holidays throughout the year, such as Islamic New Year, Eid al-Fitr, the UAE’s National Day, etc.
Schools in the UAE usually offer teaching positions with contracts of two or three years for expat teachers, so you can feel secure in your position. Some schools even offer contract extensions of 2-3 years depending on your teaching experience, skills, and qualifications.
Thanks to favourable demographics, rising disposable income, government initiatives, and parents willing to spend on education, the UAE remains one of the most attractive teaching destinations for qualified teachers today! There are very few jobs in the world that offer so much opportunity to explore and grow while making an impact on future generations of the world as a teaching job in the UAE.
Want to teach in the UAE? Book a call today for a FREE one-to-one session with an expert Suraasa mentor to discuss your dream of teaching in the UAE.