Job Discussion Forums

q8teacher · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 23

This is my first time to post. I currently work in Kuwait and have been looking for a school in KSA for two years over the internet with no luck. I have a BA, 7 years experience in elementary, am a native english speaker, and have three years in the gulf. I had a license until this year when it expired. What I want to know is why is it so hard to find a job with my marriage status, religion and experience? I thought offers would be falling in my lap. I usually find only language centers-not schools andy find after applying that they're looking for men only, or they don't accept married people. I'm baffled-ideas? Suggestions?

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:22 am Post subject:

You don't say what your nationality is, nor what type of 'school' you are applying to. I'm assuming you are applying to elementary schools, as that is where your experience seems to be. One reason I can think of for your lack of success is that you come from a "Western" country. To the best of my knowledge, most Saudi schools only employ teachers from Arabic-speaking countries. There aren't that many 'international' schools which take on native-English speakers, and those that do will of course only want teachers with credentials relevant to that of the national system they are working in: "Australian" schools will want teacers from the Australian system and so on.

As for being married, yes, many schools prefer to take on single people, for obvious financial reasons. Not sure what your comment about 'schools looking for men only' means. As I'm sure you know, all schools in KSA are segregated by gender, so there would be no question of any educationa establishment taking on both women and men, unless they are operating two parallel schools, one for males, the other for females.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Have you tried Manarat ?

q8teacher · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 23

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try looking up Manarat. It sounds familiar. I guess I'm frustrated because I applied for a school in Medina that required a female with a mahram-they even specified they wanted a practicing Muslim-it sounded perfect for me and my family, and I met all the requirements but never heard from them. I was pretty shocked. To reply to Cleopatra, I'm American, and all my training was in America, plus 3 of the 7 years experience. I do know about the segregation, but the trouble is, many of the companies that advertise for teachers don't state they are looking for male only until after you apply.

crashartist1 · Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 164

They can't hire a women from outside Saudi Arabia. You can get the VISA's for them only if they are in the medical field. If your husband was here already there would be absolutely no problem finding a job.
You might be perfect for many places in your education, experience religous beliefs and practices but unless you have the sponsorship of a member of the royal family then you will not be able to get a job in the KSA. Have your husband find a job and come first then you can come over.

Does this sound right everyone?

poorESLteacher

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There are HUGE numbers of Saudi women looking for employment as teachers.

Another possibility is Saudi Arabian International Scools - American School. It was run by Saudi Arabian Airlines, Not sure of what is happening with them these days. they hired wetern teachers - especially teaching couples.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

EFL Teacher · Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 17

Steve,

What about the man's sections and the mens on their wife's visas?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Not quite sure about your question.

Couples have been employed by Manarat. I presume they would also employ men in Saudi on the wife's visa, though what they should do is transfer the sponsorship to themselves.

Your exact question?

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:51 am Post subject: