What private tutoring permit means for education and how professionals across the UAE can apply
Anew private teacher work permit was introduced this week, allowing educators to offer tuition to pupils outside school hours.
Monday’s announcement by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Ministry of Education represents a significant change for the profession in the UAE.
Here is what you need to know about the permit, from the costs to who is eligible.
Q
Why have the permits been introduced?
A
They are intended to protect the rights of private schoolteachers and to ensure pupils “receive supplemental education that meets their learning style and needs”, said Mohammed Al Mualla, undersecretary for academic affairs at the Ministry of Education.
The permits are also intended as a means of tackling illegal private tuition.
“The introduction of a permit will help to curb illegal and unregulated practices
when recruiting private teachers, which risk affecting the learning process as a whole,” Mr Al Mualla said.
What does a permit cost?
A permit is free of charge and is valid for two years, after which holders can apply for it to be renewed. Educators must sign a code of conduct document approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Who is eligible?
The permit allows “different groups of specialised and qualified professionals from the community to offer private lessons for students, individually or in groups”, the ministry said.
Eligible people include registered teachers in government or private schools, employees in the government and private sectors, unemployed people and pupils aged 15 to 18.
How to apply
Those who wish to obtain a permit can submit their request through the ministry’s smart app, website or e-services system.
What documents do you need?
Teachers who want to offer tuition must be able to show they are registered in a public or private school.
Other applicants must have proof they are a university student, or are unemployed.
What if you do not apply?
Anyone offering private lessons without a permit will be subject to fines and penalties in line with federal law.
The severity of these penalties has not been confirmed but, when private tuition was banned, educators could face fines of Dh50,000 ($13,600).
Can you work from home?
A permit covers online and in-person tutoring. Educators can also work from their home country, provided they have valid residency.