Job Discussion Forums

zaylahis · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 59

1. When do Colleges and schools for the new term open again?
2.when should new teachers expect to be informed about their departure date for Oman?One week, two weeks before term starts? Hope not!

After sending in our papers to MOHE, we are waiting for them to tell us when we have to leave for Oman but so far there is silence. I know that it is summer there but some of us need to hand in notices and we need to make preparations. Could anyone advise please?

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

Zaylahis,

The first Semester (note the American influence here) will commence on 1st September 2007. There will be a week of inactivity, that is except for those colleges who stream their students. Some did last year, some didn't. Here in Salalah we did and it helped the students enormously. There will be a placement test so we can stream them and then teaching "should" commence in the second week I put this in brackets because each College has its own methods.

Who recruited you???

If it was the "Mr Majid" who admitted to me he worked, at that time for Hawthorns, you may possibly have to be prepared to leave Oman and go to Dubai. This means that your temporary visitors visa will be cancelled and he can work on getting you Ministry visas, which initially last for 2-3 months during which time they can process you all and get you the full 2 year visa. Having said that, for some unknown reason, mine is for 18 months!!! But that is Oman.

I paid for my own airfare which was refunded. Curiously, when I was met at Muscat having arrived from my Dubai sojourn, I found out that the weekend spent in the Al Falaj Hotel was to be deducted from my first months salary, ok it was only about 50 OMR, but isn't that weird?

Ulimately, after all this stuff, you will be employed direct to the MoHE and will recieve a higher salary than those contracted to CfBT or Hawthorns and will have the "luxury" of having a MoHE employee who can take you swiftly through the Visa and other processes.

Duffy Very Happy

zaylahis · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 59

Thanks Duffy. We were interviewed by the Head of Department of the College of Applied Sciences and a man from MoHE. Subsequently I was contacted by someone from MoHe and myr documents were sent to MoHe direct.

So far I have not heard from them about when I am expected to report or where they will send me. When asked, they said that they could not say yet where we will be posted. The immediate concern is, however, when we are expected in Oman as I need to tie up matters etc. And how much notice do I get? Is it safe to assume that I will be given only a few weeks/days?

I am in Malaysia at the moment. Hmm..having to pay first for my ticket..that doesn't sound too good!

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

Z,

If you are a direct employee there will be no problem with the visa as they will have the temporary one ready.

Don't know about the airfare, that would be a hefty bill I would think, but you get it back eventually.

As to when you arrive, well the administrators I have met certainly have never been in a hurry to do things. Perhaps a reminder from you to them would be in order?

Try for Salalah if you like swimming, fishing, diving and off-roading around the mountains. Steer clear of Ibri, Nizwa seems fine, heard lots of not good things about Sohar, but then, people say things like that about their colleges, know nothing about Sur and of course Rustaq is now the Education college for teachers.

Duffy Very Happy

zaylahis · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 59

Thanks Duffy. But do rookies have a choice in where they will be sent ? And why not Ibri. All I know about Ibri is that it is the hottest place in Oman and facilities are poor?

zx20 · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 6

z,

recall the worst place you ever lived in, then multiply it by 5 and you'll have some idea how bad ibri is, its the pits. Its dirty, dusty, always hot and stores are badly stocked. As for the college forget it, man. Go some place else, like duffy suggests.

zaylahis · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 59

Will do but again...do rookies have a choice in where they are sent??? Should we state this upfront before going and even if we do can we be assured that we will not be sent to Ibri?

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

There are no guarantees that you will get the place that is first on your preferred list, but it doesn't hurt to put in a polite request. They normally inform you of where you will be assigned before you go... and I would insist on knowing... so that you can back out. If it is all done without seeming too demanding, you can probably at least be sure of not being placed in Ibri.

VS