Dubai: More than 27,000 teachers at Dubai’s private schools will return to work on Monday, beginning the final stage of preparations before pupils head back to classrooms for the new academic year.The 27,284 teachers will return ahead of students, giving schools time to review academic plans and timetables, prepare classrooms, laboratories and other facilities, and finalise arrangements for the opening week.Data from Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority for 2025 show that women make up 78 per cent of the private-school teaching workforce, compared with 22 per cent for men, meaning nearly four in every five teachers are women.The figures also underline the international character of Dubai’s private education sector. Of the total teaching workforce, 23,014 teachers belong to the 10 most represented nationalities, according to Al Bayan newspaper. Indian teachers make up the largest nationality group, followed by British and Egyptian teachers. Irish teachers rank fourth, followed by Syrian, Pakistani, Jordanian, Filipino, Lebanese and American teachers.The diversity mirrors Dubai’s broad mix of international curricula and student communities, bringing educators from different cultural and academic backgrounds into schools across the emirate.Primary schools account for the largest share of the teaching workforce, with 48 per cent of teachers working at that level. Secondary education accounts for 34 per cent, pre-primary for 11 per cent and middle school for 7 per cent.The days before pupils return are typically used for staff meetings, professional development and the allocation of classes and responsibilities. Schools also use the period to ensure teachers with different educational backgrounds are aligned on policies, procedures and academic standards before the first day of classes.