The education regulator has recruited 876 public school teachers for the new academic year.

Abu Dhabi Education Council said the new staff included Emiratis, but did not reveal how many. Arab and non-Arab expatriates were also recruited.

Adec said last month that it had dismissed 272 teachers whose skills no longer fitted the curriculum, and 71 for failing to meet standards.

Mohammed Al Dhaheri, executive director of school operations, said it was extremely important to bring Emiratis in to reinforce national identity.

Dr Ameena Al Majed, principal of Al Qadisya School, said the recruitment was a positive move that would add “a new spirit to the field”.

“We are suffering from a shortage in some subjects, especially after they increased social studies subjects for primary school,” Dr Al Majed said. “For high school, students now have a wider selection of subjects to choose from.”

She said her school was able to fill vacancies caused by two teachers retiring and two being transferred, and the large number of appointments meant all schools would benefit.

Adec said teaching positions were still open for KG, Islamic studies, Arabic, science, maths, English, social studies, physiology, physics, biology, chemistry and Earth science.