ADEK and PureHealth forge partnership to cultivate Emirati specialists in inclusive education

A new collaborative initiative between Abu Dhabi's education authority and a leading healthcare provider creates structured career pathways for Emiratis to become Inclusion Specialists, strengthening support for students with diverse learning needs across the emirate's private and charter schools.

The transformation of education lies not merely in buildings or curricula, but in the quality of human presence and understanding that surrounds each child. A new partnership between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and PureHealth recognises this fundamental truth, establishing a pioneering career pathway for Emirati talent to become Inclusion Specialists within the emirate’s education system.

The agreement, signed by Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of ADEK, and Saeed Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer of SEHA, creates a comprehensive six-month training and certification programme that marries educational expertise with specialised healthcare knowledge. Participants will engage in intensive clinical training delivered through SAKINA, PureHealth’s mental health network and the largest mental health provider in the UAE, combined with supervised placements in Abu Dhabi’s private and charter schools. This integration draws on multidisciplinary expertise spanning psychology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and behavioural support, equipping specialists to foster student independence, engagement and emotional wellbeing.

The initiative unfolds along two distinct pathways. The first welcomes Emirati job seekers into structured training to become certified Inclusion Assistants, preparing them to enter the education sector with formal qualifications. The second pathway offers advanced skills development for Inclusion Assistants already working in Abu Dhabi’s schools, enabling them to progress into specialised Inclusion Teacher roles. Upon completion, all participants receive certification recognised under the ADEK and PureHealth partnership.

Ambitious in scope, the programme targets the certification of up to 120 new Emirati Inclusion Assistants and the upskilling of up to 130 existing Inclusion Assistants into Inclusion Teacher roles annually. Beyond these immediate outcomes, the pathway supports enduring career progression, allowing Emiratis to build on their experience and pursue further qualifications in special education and allied health professions through future academic partnerships.

As ADEK has noted through its expansion of early childhood provision across the emirate, the commitment to inclusive and accessible education runs deep. This partnership extends that vision into the specialist support roles essential for students with diverse learning needs.

Mubarak Al Mheiri emphasised the significance of this endeavour: a high-quality education ecosystem requires investment not only in teachers but in the professionals who work alongside them to support student learning and wellbeing. Saeed Al Kuwaiti echoed this sentiment, noting that when health and education work in concert, individual needs can be identified earlier and more inclusive learning environments created, giving every child a stronger foundation for the future.

The initiative reflects both organisations’ commitment to Emiratisation, building on ADEK’s existing talent development programmes including Midad and Kon Moallim, whilst complementing PureHealth’s wider investment in Emirati talent through its Emirati Development Centre, which provides training, leadership development and practical experience to prepare UAE nationals for careers in healthcare.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This partnership represents a strategic investment in the emirate’s human capital, creating meaningful career pathways for Emiratis beyond traditional classroom teaching into specialised, high-value roles within the education sector. By embedding healthcare expertise within educational settings, Abu Dhabi strengthens its ability to identify and support students with diverse needs earlier, fostering more inclusive learning environments across private and charter schools.

For Abu Dhabi’s broader development, the initiative reinforces the emirate’s commitment to building a skilled, Emirati-led workforce capable of meeting the nuanced demands of modern education. The structured progression from Inclusion Assistant to Inclusion Teacher, coupled with opportunities for further academic qualification, ensures sustainable workforce development that will serve Abu Dhabi’s future generations.

Source: WAM