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

Top 10 reasons teachers in the UAE quit
Teach Middle East Magazine | May 1, 2014
Source: http://teachmiddleeastmag.com/

#1 – Not feeling valued: If you don't feel like what you are doing is really making a difference then it won’t be long before you quit.

#2 – Overworked: There are some teachers who have a comparatively light teaching load while there are others who barely get a break each day.

#3 – Behaviour Problems: In both public and private schools behaviour can be a problem. Lack of accountability and sanctions can make it very hard for teachers to reign in bad behaviour.

#4 – Low salary: Contrary to popular belief, the streets of the UAE are not paved with gold. There are teachers in some schools that are not earning very much.

#5 – Homesickness: The majority of teachers in the UAE are expats and after a while, the novelty of the new country wears off and teachers become really homesick.

#6 – Change in family circumstances: Residence visas are tied to employment. If a spouse loses his/her job, the family sometimes has to relocate.

#7 – Culture Shock: Some teachers find the culture far too different from what they are used to or able to handle.

#8 – Lack of support network: Leaving friends and family is never easy and some teachers find it difficult to rebuild a new support network once they arrive.

#9 – Goals accomplished: Many teachers have a set plan and once those goals are accomplished they return home.

#10 – Problems with money management: The UAE is an affluent country with easy access to credit. Some teachers find it hard to resist temptations and find themselves in over their heads and having to literally flee in the night.
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veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

"to reign in bad behaviour"

Let's hope it wasn't written by an English teacher... Laughing

But, likely it was.

VS

peripatetic_soul · Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 303

"reign on bad behavior" - most probably meant unable to remediate

#3 (more accurately: CHRONIC behavioral issues) and lack of administrative support which contributed to students' lack of accountability

#1 Definitely!

Other considerations:
Goals: the position was not career enhancing, as initially anticipated.
Ethical issues: Expecting faculty to turn a blind eye to blatant cheating
Draconian, unpredictable and constantly changing rules (that relate to #1)

PS

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

"reign in" is not the same as "rein in"!!

Incorrect vocabulary choice.

VS

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

I honestly think due to the ever increasing cost of living and introduction of taxes like the recent 30% booze tax (making already expensive grog even more so) and the municipality tax on renters (mostly expats), inflation and the 5% VAT, that for many expats, there's little to be saved any more unless 2 people are working. Families with 1 earner and kids will find it very difficult to get by here on a teaching salary and save anything.

At the end of the day people make their choices but financially, it can be difficult now. Other than that, the UAE's a lovely place to spend part of your life.

peripatetic_soul · Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 303

True, VS: reign - rein in - still a bit awkward in phrasing, but we get the gist.

dragonpiwo - Ah, yes, #11 - not financially lucrative now, but there were golden days in the past to savor.
PS

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

sheikhitnow · Joined: 29 Dec 2017 Posts: 32

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

Such mistake's that drive teacher's crazy... sad isnt it.

Laughing

sheikhitnow · Joined: 29 Dec 2017 Posts: 32

Definately. All you can do is sigh and have a damn fine cup of covfefe.

D. Merit · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 203

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

True dat... but at least I have the excuse that I've been retired for 18 years... LOL And I didn't publish it in a magazine... that should have also had a proofreader.

VS

In the heat of the moment · Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 393 Location: Italy

#11 You're not an Arab, Gulfite or Muslim so you're at best a second class citizen.

sheikhitnow · Joined: 29 Dec 2017 Posts: 32

I would consider that a badge of honor.

PC Parrot · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 11:06 am Post subject:

Let me rack my brains to think why on earth anyone would want to leave such a paradise.

From a different perspective, had I asked my students to suggest reasons why teachers quit, they’d have probably come up with something like this:

1) Bad teacher
2) Manager fire him
3) Bad man run away from police
4) No petrol. Empty.
5) Crazy man. UAE too beautiful. Number 1
6) Have cat.
7) No have cat.
7b) Have dog.
9) No have dog.
10) Enough. Break-time, teacher.