Transformative talent: how career changers can enrich organisations at any age

​What do I need to become a teaching assistant in the UAE?

To become a teaching assistant in the UAE, you will typically need a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools may require additional qualifications, such as a teaching assistant certificate or relevant experience in education. It's also important to have a strong command of the English language, as many schools in the UAE use English as the primary language of instruction.

One way to enhance your qualifications as a teaching assistant is to complete a teaching assistant training program. These programs provide valuable insights into the role of a teaching assistant and equip you with the necessary skills to support teachers and students effectively. Additionally, gaining experience through volunteer work or internships in educational settings can help you stand out to potential employers.

What does a teaching assistant do?

First and foremost, it's important to understand the responsibilities of a teaching assistant.

The main role of a Teaching Assistant (also known as TA or Classroom Assistant) is to provide support and assistance to a teacher, making sure students are given all the help they need to get the most out of their education.

The key duties of a TA will usually include, although not be limited to, the following:

• Providing support to children with mathematics, reading and writing on an individual, class or small group basis

• Proving one-on-one help to children who require it

• Giving further attention to children with any other special needs or requirements

• Motivating and encouraging pupils

• Supervising students at lunch, on events or trips and for special activities

• Taking care of various admin tasks, including preparing materials for lessons, photocopying, laminating and marking papers

Is a career as a teaching assistant right for me?

To be successful in this position, having a passion for working with children is essential, as well as a genuine interest in education. You will also need exceptional communication skills and must be able to motivate pupils who may sometimes be unruly or lack confidence.

Other key skills and attributes include:

• A friendly and approachable nature

• Excellent reading, writing, numeracy and listening skills

• Flexibility and versatility

• Ability to build relationships with both staff and students, but also display a good level of discipline when required

• A passion for teaching

• Patience

Career progression

What’s the initial salary for a teaching assistant?

The salary for a teaching assistant starts from AED 3000 and can go up to AED 6000 monthly.

How long to go from a teaching assistant to a teacher?

The eligibility to start teaching depends on existing qualifications and any additional credentials needed. For individuals with a B.Ed., they can commence teaching straight away. Otherwise, obtaining a teaching diploma, such as a PGCE, PGDE, or Cache level, is necessary. The duration of these programs varies, typically spanning from one to at least two years.

What is the average salary for a teacher in Dubai?

Teacher salaries in Dubai are dependent on various factors, including experience, qualifications, school type, and curriculum. On average, a teacher's salary can range from AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 per month. Please note that these figures are approximate and are subject to change. Additionally, teachers may receive extra benefits, such as accommodation, health insurance, tuition fee concessions, and annual flights to their home country.

How to become a head teacher?

Becoming a head teacher in Dubai involves obtaining a bachelor's degree in education or related fields, followed by optional master's degrees in educational leadership or administration. Accumulating teaching experience and progressing into leadership roles like department head or assistant principal is crucial to demonstrating effective leadership. Meeting certification and licensing requirements is necessary for eligibility. Applying for head teacher roles requires highlighting leadership experience and educational philosophy.

Salary for a head teacher?

Head teacher salaries in Dubai vary based on school type, experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Typically higher than regular teachers, they range from around AED 25,000 to AED 40,000 monthly. Benefits like accommodation, health insurance, tuition fee concession and annual flights home may also be included, affecting the overall compensation package.

If you are looking for the next step in your career or to hire for your school, contact one of our experts today.

​Employee monitoring can help ensure productivity and accountability among employees, as managers can track their work progress and identify areas where improvement is needed. Monitoring enhances data security by detecting and preventing unauthorised access or data breaches and additionally, it enables you to adhere to regulatory and compliance requirements, reducing legal risks. 

The key thing to remember is that workplace surveillance is perfectly acceptable, as long as you can legally justify your reasons, and it is always better to be ‘overt’, not ‘covert’.  

A report shows that despite normality returning to working life post-pandemic, demand for employee surveillance software is 49% above 2019 levels. 

Our eBook, ‘Employee monitoring: a guide to best practices’, provides insight from top experts in the field including:    

Keith Rosser, Director of Group Risk and Reed Screening, Reed 

Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Research Adviser, CIPD

 By downloading this eBook, you will discover:   

• What employee monitoring is 

• Whether it's needed for your business

• Considerations for introducing workplace monitoring  

• The benefits and drawbacks  

• Potential impact of surveillance on the workforce 

• Your duties as a responsible employer 

“Monitoring software that employees see as intrusive and unnecessary is more likely to erode mutual trust in the employment relationship. Employers need to show how using monitoring software can benefit employees, while respecting their privacy.” -Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Research Adviser, CIPD.

​​In the past, workplace monitoring was relatively simplistic: employers relied on visual supervision and basic timekeeping systems, and the concept of privacy was limited.

Fast forward to the digital age. Employee monitoring has reached new levels of sophistication and become common practice for employers seeking to boost productivity, enhance security, and ensure compliance with regulations.

Improved productivity and deeper insights

With the advancement of technology, including GPS tracking, computer monitoring software, and biometric identification systems, surveillance can provide employers with detailed insights into employee activities and performance.

One of the key benefits of employee monitoring is the ability to track and improve productivity levels. By monitoring employees' activities, employers can identify inefficiencies, analyse workflow processes, and provide targeted feedback to enhance performance. This data-driven approach allows companies to optimise their operations, allocate resources effectively, and ultimately improve their bottom line.

Monitoring can also help employers identify and address issues such as time theft, excessive breaks, and unauthorised activities in the workplace. With real-time monitoring tools, employers can detect irregularities and take corrective actions promptly, therefore improving accountability and integrity among employees.

Employee monitoring can also aid in compliance with regulations and industry standards. By keeping a close eye on electronic communications, websites visited, and files accessed, employers can ensure that employees adhere to data protection laws, maintain confidentiality, and comply with company policies. This proactive approach minimises the risk of data breaches and security incidents and also protects the company from potential legal liabilities.

Balancing surveillance and ethics

Despite the clear advantages of employee monitoring, it is crucial for organisations to approach this practice with sensitivity and respect for staff privacy. As a matter of course, employers should establish clear policies regarding monitoring practices, communicate openly with employees about the purpose and scope of monitoring, and ensure transparency in the use of monitoring tools.

Prioritise the protection of sensitive employee data by implementing robust security measures, restricting access to monitoring data, and complying with data protection regulations such as GDPR. These considerations can ease employees’ minds about any surveillance and even instil appreciation for such measures. After all, workplace security is in everyone’s best interests.

Download our best practice guide to employee monitoring

Our eBook, ‘Employee monitoring: a guide to best practices’ provides insight into how employers might best integrate employee monitoring into their organisation, and considerations for what the impact may be on employees. With opinion from thought leaders, it addresses everything from pre-employment checks to the tracking tech that might be right your organisation.

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Looking to hire top talent for your organisation or to find your next dream role? Get in touch with one of our specialist consultants today.