Teaching as a Career? Workforce Nationalization Challenges in a GCC Ministry of Education: A Teaching Case Study

Abstract

This case explores the challenges faced by Abadi, a public sector employee at the Ministry of Education in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, as he leads efforts to localize the teaching workforce. The government had identified education as a priority sector for its nation-alization strategy, aiming to increase the participation of local citizens in key professions. How-ever, despite several initiatives, the Ministry continued to face a persistent challenge, the re-luctance of young nationals to pursue teaching careers, especially in public schools. The case follows Abadi’s initiative to bring together policymakers, education leaders, and institutional stakeholders to understand the root causes of this reluctance. Through data collection and stake-holder engagement, the Ministry uncovered systemic and cultural factors that hindered the at-tractiveness of the teaching profession. The analysis also revealed gaps and limitations in the Ministry’s existing programs intended to recruit and retain national teachers. Students working with this case are invited to critically evaluate the Ministry’s current initiatives, analyze the underlying causes of the problem, and develop practical recommendations or new policy solu-tions to enhance the appeal of teaching as a career among local citizens. The case encourages reflection on broader themes of workforce nationalization, public sector reform, and policy implementation in the context of GCC education systems.