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teachr11
Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 39
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 Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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| myohmy wrote: |
| ...things are much worse than last year due to the new ill-conceived and poorly implemented "paperless" policy and due to the fact that there really isn't enough classroom space for PYP at the new campus, huge as it is. I have over 40 students in my classes, no whiteboard and an OHP that doesn't work properly. |
Sounds a lot like KSU (the women's campus, anyway)! They became "paperless" in 2011-2012 school year and it takes a lot of getting used to. Due to the photocopying limit of 5 sheets of paper per class, you start relying on the students' "young eyes" so that you can give them a worksheet reduced to a 1/4 sheet of paper and they can still read the tiny text. 
| myohmy wrote: |
| Some of the leadership here (and I'm not just referring to the Saudis) are incompetent micro-managers. |
Also very KSU. I'm getting the idea that this attitude is indicative of any teaching job where teachers are just numbers to fill shoes. The management treats them like cattle to keep them under control, because they don't trust teachers to act professionally in any way. This problem can be avoided by working at an institution that hires professional teachers, and treats them as professionals rather than warm bodies. Still searching for THAT opportunity! (Yes, VS and Nomad, I realize I should go for direct-hire. Bear in mind that there are few direct-hire opportunities for people without MA-TESOL.  )
It's worth mentioning that school administration is as incompetent and dysfunctional as anything else in the country. The trickle-down effect results in a lot of pressure on the teachers. At least at KSU they had the excuse that "all decisions are made at the male campus." What's the excuse at PNU? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| teachr11 wrote: |
| At least at KSU they had the excuse that "all decisions are made at the male campus." What's the excuse at PNU? |
Their excuse is that the male-dominated Ministry of Higher Ed is making those decisions. |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:02 am Post subject: |
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| Yes, VS and Nomad, I realize I should go for direct-hire. Bear in mind that there are few direct-hire opportunities for people without MA-TESOL. |
I don't see what difference that would make. I am direct hire and I have to put of with the same BS as the SBC, Edex, etc. folks who work at PNU. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| Teachr11 was comparing KSU to PNU; both hire directly but also rely heavily on contracting companies. It appears unis that have/have had a large part of their staffing handled via sketchy contractors have their own unique set of issues. |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:15 am Post subject: |
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| myohmy wrote: |
I don't see what difference that would make. I am direct hire and I have to put of with the same BS as the SBC, Edex, etc. folks who work at PNU. |
I'll bet your pay is more and housing is better. |
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teachr11
Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| I think direct hire at PNU and KSU is a joke - PNU can't even afford to pay their direct hire employees salary until November! But what I meant is, places like Prince Sultan, KAUST, British Council, etc. are direct hire and treat their employees like actual humans. |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| That's not exactly accurate about the pay. Those teachers who worked here last year were paid in early October. Those who had yet acquired an iqama and bank account, or who had just recently acquired them, were not paid at that time. I'm not defending PNU, just getting the facts straight. |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| I'll bet your pay is more and housing is better. |
Quite right, plumpy, and it does make putting up with all the BS a bit easier. |
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teachr11
Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:27 am Post subject: |
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| myohmy wrote: |
| That's not exactly accurate about the pay. Those teachers who worked here last year were paid in early October. Those who had yet acquired an iqama and bank account, or who had just recently acquired them, were not paid at that time. I'm not defending PNU, just getting the facts straight. |
Right on! I'm glad you clarified that.  |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:49 am Post subject: |
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| Teachr11 was comparing KSU to PNU; both hire directly but also rely heavily on contracting companies. It appears unis that have/have had a large part of their staffing handled via sketchy contractors have their own unique set of issues. |
PNU would be even more dysfunctional without the "sketchy" contractors. They can barely manage the direct hires. I shudder to think how HR would handle it if the numbers were doubled. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:14 am Post subject: |
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| myohmy wrote: |
| PNU would be even more dysfunctional without the "sketchy" contractors. They can barely manage the direct hires. |
Maybe, but be aware that not long ago, PNU's PYP was solely staffed and run by SBC; ditto with Bell-Obeikan for KSU's program. They share a similar experience---one that's unique to their programs. This is/was not the situation with other Saudi university PY programs---those that have their own recruitment and HR departments. |
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CANDLES
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 605
Location: Wandering aimlessly.....
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| Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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With reference to housing with KSU, I'm afraid it's pretty rubbish. The teachers languish in an area which is a massive building site and away from 'civilization', apart from Hyper Panda and Baskin Robbins ice parlour.
Journey time to univ is 50 minutes leaving at 6.05, whilst leaving at 6.15 one gets there at 7.15....
Okay salaries are fine for some, but general mood is of apathy regarding the accommodation. Work wise - good for some, nightmare for others....
so whichever university one is at, there'll always be some issues or another.
No different from back home, except that at home it's your 'own fireplace' to sit at.
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