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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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 Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:33 am Post subject: |
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| Sydney2002 wrote: |
Hi Nomad
That would explain a lot. Yes, she did get that position through a recruiter. More than likely, you are exactly right. In my opinion, the negatives of this place far outweigh any positives. But my friend feels the opposite. To each her own, I suppose…
Where I currently teach, most of my co-workers who have experience in Saudi don't even regard PNU as a real university. They call it 'grade 13'. |
Actually, it is grade 13, as are all Prep Year Programs. I have colleagues who work in the other programs at PNU and they work with post PYP students and Saudi teachers. The standards are not all that bad and PNU is making a real effort to improve them. I see a promising future for this university. |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:38 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
Bootita:
Considering there are at least two contracting companies staffing teachers at PNU, be aware your experience may be different depending on who you end up working for. |
Actually, the poster who listed the facts was right on for most people working here at PNU, regardless of the contractor. The only thing that might vary is the accommodations. If you are direct hire, your accommodation will be far superior than anything a contractor will offer you. It is located in a fairly isolated spot close to the airport, but there are daily free buses to the grocery store and malls. Also, direct hires tend to be paid better than those working for a contractor. |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:42 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| bootita wrote: |
my recruiter is telling me "come now"(meaning mid-april). but what will happen after the school year ends in june??
any thoughts/advice? |
As I stated in your other thread, you'll be put to work most likely for the summer session (and during Ramadan). The employer isn't bringing you over just to have to wait around until the next academic year starts a few months later. Anyway, you really should pose these questions to the recruiter since your situation is specific to whatever contracting company you signed up with. |
Last year, quite a few direct hires came in March/April. In June, they were given a round trip ticket home and pro-rated vacation pay. This year, a summer session is on the schedule, but most likely will be cancelled due to low enrollment. |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:56 am Post subject: |
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| On a personal note- my own caveat against this university would be its low hiring standards. This friend I am posting for does not even hold a B.A. or any kind of relevant teaching qualification. What she does have however is a LOT of experience and a wonderful work ethic. In that respect, I feel that PNU is very lucky to have her. |
Then she has simply slipped through the cracks or her contractor has forged some documents. That is probably why she is afraid to post here herself (everyone thinks big brother is watching them and maybe they are right!) I have heard of several teachers who were dismissed from PNU when it was discovered that their EFL certificate was earned online or for other reasons. I must admit, though, that this semester there are many teachers (hired through contractors) who hold the relevant and necessary degrees and certificates but lack experience. Out of necessity, PNU has lowered its standards for PYP teachers. It's unfortunate, but they brought it on themselves by treating us like disobedient children and regarding us as little more than disposable and replaceable itinerant labor. Turnover of teachers will continue to be high because of this. Of course, some teachers do misbehave like children and they make it difficult for the rest of us who struggle to remain professional in an environment that is anything but! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:11 am Post subject: |
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| myohmy wrote: |
| Of course, some teachers do misbehave like children and they make it difficult for the rest of us who struggle to remain professional in an environment that is anything but! |
And unfortunately, those teachers tend to stay.
I remember job postings for PNU---those that first came out in 2011. Back then, recruiters were looking to fill 350 openings. It's always been a challenge to recruit qualified, female native-speaking teachers to any university in KSA. That makes PNU's recruiting/hiring situation an even bigger uphill struggle, which is why the quality of the teachers there is low. Plus, as you pointed out, low standards + lousy treatment = continuous high turnover and low morale. By the way, do you know the approximate number of PYP teachers there now? |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:49 am Post subject: |
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| I'd say 250 or so out of which just over 100 are direct hire. Class sizes are insane, 30-40 in each one. Fortunately, not everyone shows up everyday. Absenteeism for teachers is high this semester, too. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Where else can you find a university campus with its own, self-contained, women-only monorail system ? Did it ever work ? Is it still working ? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| myohmy wrote: |
| Class sizes are insane, 30-40 in each one. Fortunately, not everyone shows up everyday. Absenteeism for teachers is high this semester, too. |
Makes me say, "My oh my!"  |
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myohmy
Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| Where else can you find a university campus with its own, self-contained, women-only monorail system ? Did it ever work ? Is it still working ? |
It has been running with regularity for over two years. |
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