Job Discussion Forums

[menace2society32]

Ok, I have only found two threads pertaining to IPETQ. Is it a good program to work for? What about accomodations? What about the students? ANY INFORMATION OR ADVICE IS WELCOME. Feel free to PM me. Thank you.

[running dog]

Despite the bad propaganda I read before I signed for IPETQ, I found them to be satisfactory. They paid on time ($2,000 a month), were courteous in all their dealings and helped in every way possible. If staff fell foul of the law or had health or vacation problems, they did their best. If they still have the contracts with KOC, KPC etc. you'll find the classes co-operative and the facilities excellent. The accommodation is first class .... and yet .............. this is not a top class Gulf gig. It's hard to say why.Maybe it's because Kuwait is just not a very interesting country. Even in its own guides call it the Wales or Belgium of the Middle East. One last point (and this is what remains with me the most) the teaching staff were the rudest, ill-mannered bunch I've ever had the misfortune to meet. Trainees? no problem. Teachers? Paranoid, vindictive, small-minded, back-biting .....if they weren't alcoholic, on another planet, resentful, whatever. MAYBE THE COMPANY WOULD NEED TO TIGHTEN UP ON ITS RECRUITING PRACTICES.

[veiledsentiments]

I wonder if the situation with the staff is not a result of ITEPQ gaining such a bad reputation because of the problems in the past. Places with a bad reputation will tend to get many of the teachers that no one else will hire.

They haven't had any bad press here lately, so perhaps they will be able to turn things around eventually. Many people have successfully used ITEPQ as a first Gulf job and a stepping stone to a better position later.

VS

[Stephen Jones]

IPTEQ appears to have a high turnover. This does not create a special dynamic.

Also the pay is not that good. It is probably on a par with pay in International Schools in Kuwait, but they are generally pleasant to work in, and you do have some of the longest school holidays in the world.

[menace2society32]

Can someone tell me what benefits are offered, such as medical, dental, etc, etc, sick leave, etc, etc. And what about the behavior of the students? I worked at a commercial high school in the U.A.E. and the students were terribly behaved. I hope it is not that bad. Are the students college-aged? What is the age range and average contact hours each week? Thanks again for the feedback.

[Veritas vincit]

A word of caution: stay away from the Hawalli contract unless you're absolutely desperate for cash. It's a huge contract, over 800 students in two bulidings, & the management leaves a lot to be desired. Most 'Native Speakers' (Co. term) leave well before the year is up never to return, hence the almost constant attempts to recruit.

In IPETQ's favour, salaries are almost always paid on time.

Against:

a) they withhold documentation - passports, degree certificates - for an inordinate length of time.

b) processing of visas & obtaining medical insurance cards & IDs can also take months, in some cases more than 7.

Accomodation is satisfactory, although no telephone, TV or heater are supplied. Location can be difficult for newcomers as the accomodation is away from malls & entertainment . The accomodation is within walking distance of paved roads. However, sand tracks without drainage can present a problem at this time of year.

I hope this proves to be useful.

[veiledsentiments]

Not that I want to speak highly of ITEPQ, who has had lots of problems, but...

A large part of the problem with paperwork is inherent within the Kuwait governmental system. Even the Kuwait University - a government organization - can take FOREVER to get your paperwork done. The norm when I was there was to arrive in August and receive your passport back and your first pay in January. I suspect that they have not improved.

Also, in the Gulf, I have never known an employer who provided a telephone, television, or heater. Even with 'furnished flats' those were never included. The best case was a furniture allowance (as the university provided) and you bought what you wanted with the money paid.

Sounds like the location of the housing is one of those 'never quite finished' situations that one encounters... one is often surrounded by sand in some neighborhoods. When the employer provides a flat, a good location is usually a crapshoot. I always preferred finding my own with a housing allowance.

It's still a buyer beware employer though... tolerable and a paycheck, but don't expect too much.

VS

[ron7086]

For "menace"-- You ask a lot of good questions. Find out what you can from contributors to this forum and then...... ask an IPETQ rep/recruiter directly. Ask the same questions. Otherwise, you risk basing your decisions on the biased answers of someone.. like me!!

For instance, I asked a lot of questions before I went to IPETQ. I was never lied to, even if I didn't particularly like the answers. In my experience, I had no problem with promises made and not kept.

To emphasize a point on which there seems to be agreement, one good point about IPETQ is the pay. They pay on time. In the first few months you will be paid in cash. This is the first job I've had where people hunted me down to give me an envelope of cash. If a minor problem with pay happens, it is quickly fixed.

For "running"-- my experiences with the teachers is different. IPETQ has several projects and I have been fortunate to work on a good one with great professionals as teachers. They help one another out without being asked. I have never worked with such a professional group in 18 years of teaching. (And yes, there were a couple of crazies, but they didn't last 90 days).

For "veritas"-- the Hawalii project is outside my experience. The problems with documents being held for a long time go back to another posters comments about problems that belong more to the government than just to IPETQ.

For "veiled"-- your expression is on the mark. It is tolerable and a paycheck. And it is employee beware.

Additionally, IPETQ is not as bad as the "other guys". There are lots of frustrations that go with working in this area (the Middle East). And, with absolutely nothing to do outside work, the frustrations escalate to a boiling point rapidly.

My wife and child are experiencing Kuwait with me (so much for the "nothing to do"). Good for me, but I don't know how I will be able to make it up to them. I would not again subject my family to this type of environment. In case it is not obvious, I would advise against bringing a family.

As mentioned elsewhere, the management of IPETQ is as helpful as possible. I believe it is completely overwhelmed. This leads to "the squeaky wheel..........." Which brings me back to my original suggestion.

Get as much information as possible, then ask IPETQ directly for any clarification.

Or prepare to be a very sqeaky wheel.

[Veritas vincit]

Veiled Sentiments & Ron: your compliance may be admirable and is, or was, I am sure, much appreciated by your employers. However, I feel it is only fair to point out to any teacher thinking of working in Kuwait that the company practise of (with)holding passports is illegal. According to Kuwaiti law, the passport is to be kept by the holder (see British Tutor Kuwait posting, 02 February, for a second opinion on this topic). We can surmise that companies hold employee passports for practical purposes, the main reason being that it prevents them from doing a runner. This is certainly not unheard of. In fact, a little bird tells me that Ron's (ex) DOS did this quite recently. The passport is the property of the holder. You will need it for several reasons in Kuwait, including ID, when you first arrive, & banking. No company has the legal right to retain it.