Job Discussion Forums

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

I have been here for a while and some things are tough to adjust to. The 5 am prayer call is one.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the endless requests for me to lie on attendance because the student wants to leave. I dont know them and they are no friends of mine... Dont they feel in anyway uncomfortable about asking ppl to lie for them? Drives me nuts and if I had some understanding maybe it would be easier.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

babur · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:05 am Post subject: small price to pay

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

Yes I know this the KSA.... but I am looking for some type rationale for it.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Count your money, develop hobbies and choose your friends wisely. Much of what is done is educationally questionable throughout the Middle East. Attendance is something they can be anal about as the bosses are rarely any good at doing what really counts. Never let them leave, refer them to a superior for permission immediately and then it's not your fault when he wraps his VXR round a palm tree during class time.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 2:59 pm Post subject:

You have to be firm and consistent. I always told my students, "I'm sorry; I can't. That would be a lie, and that is wrong." Then an Islamic quote:

"Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “You may know the hypocrite by three things: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something he betrays that trust.”

Very Happy

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Do not negotiate and do not weaken. Rule is simple. Here = PRESENT. Not here = ABSENT

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

Hatcher, if you try to look for the rationale behind it, you can find it, but I feel you are really looking for a way to lessen the stress you put on yourself and all the BS that goes with it.

I tell my students that it is not my job to interpret, or justified the policy. Rather, I tell them that I simply record who is here and who is not. It’s up to the administration to use that information however they choose to use it. I then suggest that they speak with administration if they have any questions. Once you remove their version of “circular logic” from the argument, they will know that they are not going to win the debate. I tell them that I care about their education and that I need to show my class, though example, that I am a professional and that the King pays me to be the best teacher I can. I have this chat with my students during the first few days of class. Once the students know you can't be coerced, they will find a way to go to another teacher's class during add/drop week, or will stop asking you.