Job Discussion Forums

Incognito · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 23

Anyone have any information regarding this school? I have just been offered a contract there and need feedback. Thanks in advance!

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Well, it is a long-established school. I did five years there and have not much bad to say about it. A good place to start, nice long vacations, they pay on time. They just renovated the teacher's apartment building.

A couple of years ago, they stopped paying health care, if you get sick you can go to the public hospital with the Pakistanis.

Not much to else to add, but if you have specific questions, I will try to answer them.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Quite high staff turnover but not a bad place to start. Many teachers move on from here to other institutions in KSA or the Gulf. There is no problem (?) in getting a no objection certificate.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Is that the place where you ring a bell and the grunts come in and drag the unruly students out of the classroom?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It is a school for the "other ranks". Officers go to Jubail. I would imagine that the traditions of the Saudi Navy are close to those of the Royal Navy. Churchill made the comment that the traditions of that institution were "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash". I think the Saudi Navy will do without the Rum.

Incognito · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 23

How concerned should I be about security?

moonpie · Joined: 30 May 2003 Posts: 71

Some years ago there were two teachers who caught a ride just outside the gate of the place you are about to work at. The driver who gave them the ride also stabbed one of them to death. Crimes like this are not frequent, but they do happen.

The dorms where they wil house you is right next to the costal highway. a car bomb would quite possibly blow both dorms up. What is the likelyhood of that happening? Who can say.

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

I started there ten years ago, my first job in the Kingdom. The stabbing story seems to be true, but it was old news even then.

The apartments are next to the highway. No doubt about it.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

As 'Franks' 'Crusaders' and 'Agents of George Bush'. you will be targetted. However TINS is on a Saudi Military Base so you are relatively safe there.

The story about the guy stabbed in the taxi is true but happened in 1980-something.

Personally I feel safer in KSA than I would in an inner city area in the UK.
The students are also more civilsed than the yobbos you might have to teach in Her Majesty's Realms !

mouse5 · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 142

I worked there 12 years ago. Yes 2 guys were stabbed but they foolishly took a SR 4 ride into town. Any idea what the place is like now. I would mind another stint there. Many schools are a lot worse. The one I'm at now makes you pay for all the frills including food. And the place is miles out of town. Are TINS still having trouble getting visas for UK teachers?

moonpie · Joined: 30 May 2003 Posts: 71

I used to take the 4 riyal ride often into town. I also traveled all over the country using the informal sort of taxis. I also did a lot of hitchiking and never found myself in danger. That sort of thing would be unthinkable nowadays here.

Does anyone else have travel stories in the Majic kingdom?

mouse5 · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 142

I wouldn't recommend hitchhiking anywhere at the moment. You hardly see any westerners in Khobar nowadays. Many expats are now commuting over the bridge every day. Was (MOD EDIT) still at TINS when you left?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The Gringos in Fort Aramco rarely leave their compound. You see a few western types in downtown Khobar - probably EFL teachers.

I left precipitately after the Massacre at the Oasis Compound but came back after the harsh economic reality got to me.

Now I go about my daily business and try not to think about security.

Incognito · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 23

Well, based on what I have read so far, it looks as though I will probably end up spending most of my free time on base. For a consumer fix, I suppose Bahrain will be my outlet. What is the process for entering Bahrain? What does it cost to travel there? How secure is the trip to Bahrain? (I will be in Dammam.) Any information will be greatly appreciated!

moonpie · Joined: 30 May 2003 Posts: 71

Incognito,

Ah hate to inform you, but the Saudi navy base is not in Dammam. It is actually between Dammam and Al-Khobar. The base sits on a coastal highway next to a university. Bahrain would be a nice outlet, if you could go when you wanted to. You have to apply for an exit visa and you have to pay serious money for it. Bring a lot of books and toys.