UAE introduces work permit to allow teachers to offer private tuitions outside institutions

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) have approved a mechanism under which a private teaching work permit has been created.

The decision is aimed at enhancing the learning process and ensuring the governance of private lessons outside the framework of educational institutions in accordance with effective and organised regulations.

The private teacher work permit allows wide categories of specialists and qualified people to give private lessons to individual students and groups. These categories include teachers registered in public and private schools, employees working in the public and private sectors, free lancers, school students aged 15-18 and university students.

The private teacher work permit aims at ensuring the stability of the educational system and providing flexible options for students and parents that meet their needs and aspirations while maintaining the discipline and quality of the educational process and the efficiency of its outputs, said Dr Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al Mualla, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Academic Affairs.

He pointed out that introducing permits for individuals qualified to provide private lessons would contribute to reducing illegal and unregulated practices of contracting with private teachers, which might affect the learning process as a whole.

The launch of this model, which is in line with international best practices, was the result of joint co-operation and coordination between the MoE and the MoHRE with a view to ensuring the provision of a legal framework that regulates private lessons nationwide, he said. 

The model both preserves the rights of private teachers and ensures that students receive most appropriate supportive education, he added.

“We will continue to work with our partners to improve and develop the education process in line with our endeavor to provide a safe, supportive, sustainable and motivating learning environment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for Human Resources Affairs, said the private teacher work permit was launched in response to the developments to ensure that they are practised within an organised legal framework that facilitates the work of service providers and ensures that the rights and duties of all parties are protected.

The beneficiaries of the decision can apply for a private teacher work permit through the MoHRE’s smart app and website as well as the MoE’s electronic system, he said.

The permit is granted free of charge for two years, under which those who meet the conditions can work as private teachers and generate direct income after signing a conduct document as per MoE-approved form, he added.

The fines and penalties will be imposed against anyone who practises private teaching without obtaining a permit from the MoHRE as stipulated in the law on regulation of labour relations and its executive regulations and all applicable laws in the country.