A UAE school operator has become the first education group in the country to receive a prestigious global accolade for promoting the well-being of teachers and fostering a positive working environment.
The Taaleem school group was awarded “Best School to Work Certified Group” status by global education organisation T4 Education, a recognition granted only to school bodies where more than half of individual schools have received high satisfaction scores from staff in detailed, anonymous surveys.
While a number of institutions have received “Best School to Work” status, this is the first time that an entire school group in the UAE has received the accolade. To achieve the award, school groups are assessed on leadership, collaboration, professional wellness and working environment.
'Where educators thrive, so does education'
The accolade is part of the Best School to Work programme, a global industry standard for school culture and workplace conditions. The initiative is backed by a community of more than 200,000 teachers and school leaders worldwide.
“Congratulations to Taaleem on the rare distinction of becoming a Best School to Work Certified Group,” said Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education and Best School to Work. “Your leadership, culture and vision have created an environment in which teachers can flourish.”
The certification process includes a forensic assessment of school leadership, inclusivity, collaboration and staff development opportunities. According to T4 Education, the anonymous surveys are weighted by an algorithm to produce final scores.
Salman Shaheen, T4 Education's director of communications, told The National that while a number of other UAE schools have announced they have been certified as a Best School to Work. These include British School Al Khubairat, The Arbor School, Deira International School, Horizon International School. “Taaleem is the first UAE school chain to announce it has achieved Best School to Work Certified Group status.”
Leadership-driven culture
Taaleem, which operates a growing network of premium private schools across the Emirates, attributed the recognition to its sustained investment in staff development and well-being.
“The quality of a school never exceeds the quality – and well-being – of its teachers,” said Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem. “At Taaleem, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture where educators feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.
“Achieving Best School to Work Certified Group status is a powerful testament to this commitment. It reflects our dedication to placing educators at the heart of our mission.”
The group has introduced several support mechanisms, including Taaleem Teaching School – an online and in-person professional learning platform, that delivers coaching and training to staff.
The group also offers online counselling, employee discounts, regular interactive wellness sessions both online and in schools and medical check-up days.
Global spotlight on UAE schools
The UAE has in recent years increased efforts to position itself as a hub for quality education.
With more than 200 private schools in Dubai alone and a growing expatriate community, competition to attract top teaching talent remains intense.
“This recognition will help us continue to attract and retain the very best teaching talent, ensuring we deliver the very highest standards of education,” said Mr Williamson.
The group recently announced the opening of new Harrow-branded schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):
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Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
Fast%20X
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Greatest Royal Rumble results
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- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Romarinho, Brazil
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Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
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Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
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5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
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Saturday December 29
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Company%20Profile
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- Price: Not announced yet
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
SHAITTAN
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The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
