Z H O for Affirms Its Commitment to Developing the Employment Sector and Localizing the Profession of Special Education Teachers

Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) has reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to develop and enhance the employment sector for People of Determination by providing all necessary resources to support this valued segment of society. The organization is actively working to strengthen its role in empowering People of Determination across various fields, including employment, training, and education. This includes a focused initiative to effectively localize specialized professions, such as the profession of special education teachers, in collaboration with relevant entities in the UAE.


ZHO emphasized that localizing the profession of special education teachers within the country has a significant impact on advancing work in the field of humanitarian services, which primarily cater to People of Determination based on their specific needs and challenges. These services require support from specialists and teachers who come from the local environment and are trained according to high professional standards. This enables them to effectively address the diverse needs of People of Determination, facilitating accurate information delivery and communication, especially since they share the same cultural background, traditions, and societal values.


As part of this initiative, the organization has adopted an educational, training, and qualification program for several Emirati male job seekers through a comprehensive four-year academic program. This initiative is one of the most significant national programs supporting the UAE government's Emiratization efforts. It represents a pioneering step in attracting and recruiting Emirati professionals in the field of special education, as well as providing employment opportunities for young Emiratis in non-traditional sectors beyond those targeted in the government's strategic plan.


The organization revealed that it currently employs approximately 161 Emirati special education teachers, with future plans to increase this number. This will be achieved through partnerships and agreements with relevant institutions in the UAE to educate and train Emirati teachers in the field of special education, ensuring their comprehensive qualification. As for university-sponsored students, there are currently 30 male students enrolled in special education studies, with one of them having already started working.


Through this initiative, ZHO aims to strengthen the localization of the special education teaching profession by providing training and educational opportunities for Emirati citizens with the appropriate qualifications for this field. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance teachers’ competencies and equip them with the necessary tools and skills to effectively support children of determination, addressing their educational and rehabilitative needs in an outstanding manner.


Among the key strategic partners of ZHO in this initiative are the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the Abu Dhabi Government Empowerment Department, and the National and Reserve Service Authority. These entities are committed to collaborating with the organization to serve the People of Determination and contribute positively to the nation’s progress.

Under the partnership agreements between the four entities, UAEU is responsible for selecting and enrolling students who have completed their national service from a list of candidates provided by the Authority. These students will join the "Specialized Special Education Teacher" academic program based on the university’s criteria, which are developed in coordination with ZHO. The university will also provide regular progress reports to both the Authority and ZHO, ensuring that the program aligns with the organization's standards and requirements for the profession of specialized special education teachers.


The program’s sub-specialization focuses on intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. Additionally, UAEU coordinates with ZHO to facilitate field training for students at various locations, allowing them to gain diverse practical experiences. The university also offers enriching and hands-on training in subjects not covered in the standard curriculum, further enhancing the students’ skills and knowledge in the field of special education.


The Abu Dhabi Government Empowerment Department is responsible for providing the university and ZHO with a list of Emirati candidates interested in joining the academic program. These candidates must be registered in the department’s database to facilitate the selection process in line with its requirements. The department also monitors the trainees’ performance throughout the training period based on monthly reports received from the university and ZHO. Additionally, it oversees the employment contract procedures for the trainees upon graduation.


The department fully covers the students' monthly stipends throughout the four-year study period, ensuring that these payments are made to the university in coordination with it.


Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination** is committed to selecting students from among job seekers registered in the **Abu Dhabi Government Empowerment Department** database to enroll in the program. This selection follows the university’s criteria, the department’s requirements, and the organization’s needs, taking into account the geographical distribution of the candidates' residences. ZHO is also responsible for preparing and signing training contracts with the selected students, providing copies of these contracts to the department, and overseeing the trainees’ performance throughout the program. Additionally, ZHO ensures that graduates are employed within **90 days** of successfully completing the program and provides the **National and Reserve Service Authority** with their names after fulfilling the required service obligations.

The National and Reserve Service Authority** coordinates with all involved parties to identify candidates who have completed their national service requirements and are interested in joining the program. The authority also facilitates the exchange of relevant data with the university, the department, and ZHO to determine suitable candidates and the expected timelines for their service completion. Furthermore, the authority plays a key role in raising awareness among national service members and encouraging them to enroll in the program.