Over 100 Dubai teachers receive teaching licence

More than 100 teachers from 15 private schools in Dubai have become the first to receive their licence as part of the Teacher and Educational Leadership Standards (TELS) pilot project.

The pilot phase, which ran from May to September, evaluated the effectiveness of the licensing process, and involved the feedback of participating teachers and school leaders.

A total of 227 teachers participated in the pilot programme, including 35 candidates with no teaching experience, who participated in the Teach Best programme.

All 51 teachers with international teaching licences passed the exams and received their Competent Teacher Status (CTS) licences. 138 teachers without internationally recoignised teacher licences also took the exam, of which 92 successfully completed the tests. 34 candidates without a teaching qualification also participated in the module - these include teacher trainees and teaching assistants. 30 of the 34 candidates passed the licensing exams.

While 173 teachers passed the examinations, some are missing English proficiency tests or require additional qualifications, and can expect to receive their licences once they complete all the steps. All in all, 106 teachers from 15 schools received their licences at a graduation ceremony held at Dubai Academic City on June 5.

Participating schools included GEMS Dubai American Academy, The Indian High School, Universal American School, Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, and more.

The majority of teachers that participated in the pilot were Indian, followed by British, American and Lebanese nationals.

The CTS licence is valid for three years, and teachers will have to provide a portfolio of evidence, including professional development and assessments to renew the licence.

Teachers are tested on four standards: professional and ethical conduct; professional knowledge; professional practice; and professional growth.

Commenting on the licensing initiative, KHDA director general Dr Abdulla Al Karam said: "The quality of teaching in Dubai will always be equal to the quality of our teachers. The TELS licence will enable parents to be sure that their child's teachers are fully qualified, and will help to further raise the quality of teaching and learning across Dubai. We're grateful to our friends at the National Qualifications Authority and British University in Dubai for their support and guidance, and we congratulate the first cohort of teachers to receive their licence."

KHDA chief of qualifications and awards Dr Naji Al Mehdi added: "The teacher licensing system has been developed based on international best practices and the shared goals of all those in Dubai's education community. The schools and teachers participating in the pilot phase have provided great feedback that will make the process more efficient next year. Teacher licensing will ensure that teaching practices in Dubai are in line with global standards."

Full implementation of the TELS licence, including all teachers at all private schools in Dubai, will begin at the start of the new academic year in September 2017.