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Mine's a pint · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Somewhere

I would welcome input on schools for children in Qatar. We have two children. One is five and has already completed KG2 - she attended an English, Arabic and French kindie. The other is just starting out at nursery. Any insights?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

007 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

Hello Mine's a pint,

I am sorry to disappoint you, but all schools are full. There are a few spaces here and there. But they would be filled with students who are the cream of the crop and can perform well on tests.

Some companies purchase spaces for their employees children, but most don't.

Good luck.

Home Schooling is an option, but it's not for everyone.

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

If you are thinking of teaching at CNA-Q, then call the school and ask them what their plans are for the teachers with children.

I work at CNA-Q and I would like to know the answer.

(The Qatar Canadian School is in a villa and can only hold so many students.)

Good luck.

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

CNA-Q has a solution for the some of the families that are coming over with children. They will add more portables on the lawn at the existing site. However, when the school fills up homeschooling will probably be the only option.

They say that they are working on a better solution for January, but will not divulge any info.

They are hiring a few more teachers. I am unsure as to how many.

One teacher is leaving and I think, don't quote me on this, 3 are coming.

Mine's a pint · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Somewhere

How are things for finding home help? Do you know?

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

Don't worry about finding home help. There are plenty of good people available to hire.

Mine's a pint · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Somewhere

Thank you! Wink

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

Heard that there will be 80?? new hires come September 09 - what are CNA-Q plans for those coming with school age children?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

What kind of plans are you expecting? Beyond a slightly larger flat?

Unless CNAQ is very different from most employers, it is the parent's problem to find them schooling and whatever else.

VS

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

I am not aware of any plans for the intake of more children. But that doesn't mean that they not trying to find a solution.

My guess that they might have a plan in place a little after Christmas. I am sure that the principal will have to have her budget in for the following school year, and she would have to have an idea of how many children will be attending the school to make an accurate estimate as to how many teachers they would need.

I would call HR here at the college and see what they say.

Good luck.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

So... are you saying that CNAQ has a school for the children of its teachers?? That is a new one. If so, they are the only university I have ever heard of in the Middle East that does so.

That would be a great perk... but it would necessitate hiring only your own nationals as teachers.

VS

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

They have started a Canadian School, however it is housed in a villa - very small.

The problem is that it is full and so are all of the other schools. It's not very hopeful for families with school age children.

Unless the college comes up with a plan for the new school year.

Reality check · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 17 Location: Qatar

Hi,

No move has been planned for this school year (2007-2008). They have expanded a little bit within the same facility. But it is still in the same villa so don't expect too much. CNAQ will not consider moving the school until employees start quitting or they can not feel the vacant positions. As far as the Qatari sponsor is concerned this is not their problem, and CNAQ president only begs, does not have any voice at all. CNA did not anticipate this issue just like many other issues, and it is way over their head. They are completely disoriented and lost in this whole project and are just trying to patch the gaping holes.

There are schools in Qatar (American school, QA), where you can complete the admission application and testing before you arrive in Qatar. So, depending on the result you can make your decision.

Canadian school has no gym or playground. Teachers are very poorly paid, and I suspect just as abused as the rest of CNAQ employees. Do not believe if CNAQ tells you there are good schools for the children to go to. It is true that there are many good schools, but they are all full. CNAQ HR will lie to you just to get you here; they have done it many times. Once you are here, you are stuck.