The UAE Ministry of Education has launched a large-scale assessment initiative targeting over 14,000 teachers, school leaders, and support staff to evaluate professional competencies ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year. The project aims to identify skill gaps and design targeted training plans to enhance the quality of education nationwide.
In a major initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of education, the UAE Ministry of Education has launched the “Professional Competency Assessment Project for School Staff” for the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year. The project, which began on June 30 and will continue until July 10, is targeting a total of 14,059 educators including teachers, school leaders, and support staff across the country.
The primary goal of the assessment is to evaluate professional skills and identify areas for improvement among educators working in public schools. Based on the results, the Ministry will design customized professional development plans that aim to boost teaching quality and student learning outcomes in the next academic session.
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The participants of the assessment are divided across different educational levels and roles. According to the Ministry, the breakdown is as follows:
10,865 staff members from kindergartens and Cycle 1 schools
911 educators from career progression schools
2,283 teachers who are seeking adjustments in their employment status
These assessments are being conducted across 28 specialized testing centers located in 10 regions throughout the UAE, ensuring broad accessibility for all participants.
Each participant takes a test that includes 30 to 36 questions, with an allotted time of 30 to 75 minutes, depending on the role and subject area. The assessments are conducted in three sessions per day, running from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
To ensure smooth operations, the Ministry has deployed 66 trained proctors, and every center is equipped with IT specialists to provide real-time technical support and maintain system readiness.
The project’s field implementation is being carried out in phases. The Abu Dhabi region was among the first to complete the assessment:
Abu Dhabi City: Four centers served 1,981 staff members
Al Dhafra Region: One center hosted 358 participants
Al Ain: Six centers accommodated 1,776 staff
In the Dubai and Northern Emirates, the assessment phase started on July 2 and will also continue until July 10. Key participation numbers include:
Dubai and Sharjah: Six centers for 6,813 participants
Ajman and Umm Al Quwain: Two centers for 786 participants
Ras Al Khaimah: Two centers for 1,165 participants
Fujairah and Eastern Region: Six centers for 1,180 participants
To manage the smooth execution of this large-scale project, the Ministry has engaged five key departments:
These teams are responsible for six core tasks, including creating test questions, scheduling centers, offering technical and logistical support, ensuring compliance, and managing any violations or disciplinary actions during the assessments.
The evaluation focuses on four main competency areas that reflect the core responsibilities of educators within both academic and community settings:
As part of a parallel effort to raise teaching standards, the Ministry’s Professional Licensing Department has rolled out standardized tests for Arabic language teachers who teach non-native speakers from Grades 3 to 12.
The test consists of 135 questions, where 60% assesses Arabic language proficiency and 40% evaluates teaching skills. These exams are part of a broader plan to license and train teachers who can effectively teach Arabic as a second language, considering the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students in UAE schools.
The Ministry confirmed that licensing exams currently cover six educator categories:
By identifying strengths and gaps across thousands of educators, the UAE Ministry of Education aims to implement tailored training plans to strengthen teaching practices nationwide. This initiative is expected to improve overall student performance, foster innovation in classrooms, and maintain the UAE’s position as a regional leader in education.
The Ministry emphasized that such comprehensive evaluations are not just about assessment, but about building a future-ready teaching workforce that can meet the evolving needs of students, schools, and society.
