Job Discussion Forums

simrishamn · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 30

Hello, I have been offered a job with CECNE to teach - Ibra Technical College which is an inland town of approximately 20 000 in and around the municipality. They offer to pay me 807 Omani Rials (OMR) per month plus a 55 OMR stipend per month for transportation plus the usual stuff.
Does anyone have any information about this College or CECNE? How about the salary, would I be able to save something?

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

Try a search and I think you find that this has been discussed in previous threads.

VS

simrishamn · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 30

How much can one expect to save on a salary � 807OMR a month? Also, is anyone here currently teaching in Ibra and have been placed there by CECNE�

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

I doubt that there are many places to spend your money, so that will help. Cool

As long as housing is provided, you should be able to save most of it. Of course, saving is very individual. Also the first year, you will need to set up your flat (is "furnished" housing provided?) and most people buy a car. Now if you head off to Dubai or Muscat every weekend to hit the clubs, your savings will drop dramatically.

VS

simrishamn · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 30

Thanks for the information, regarding the accommodation I was given the following information �We provide furnished housing which includes a bed with a new mattress and bedding, dishes & cuttlery (4 place settings), etc. for one person.�
Still contemplating � if I should accept or not� Never lived in the ME before, spent the last 4 years in Asia�so it would be a change...

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

It would likely be a drastic change if you are in a major Asian metropolis. This is a small town in the hinterlands with not much to do, so you need to be a person who can occupy yourself.

Much depends on your age and interests.

VS

georgemcduff · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 16

I lived and worked there for a couple of years...

The college- Run by the Ministry of Manpower. The much respected HOD left about a year ago, replaced by someone unfortunately a bit more typical; very approachable but lacking in competence. The ludicrous expectations placed on the staff (generally about exams) can make the environment either frustrating or comedy central, depending on your view. The work itself is a doddle; not generally more than 16 hrs in the classroom, with preparation time, due to the lack of resources, cultural constraints...minimal. The staff is also fairly typical of around here; generally great teachers and people, with a quite entertaining sprinkling of nutters, racists, islamophobes and creeps.

The students- Treated poorly by the system over all. They're friendly and very respectful, although unmotivated and a lot of them cheat. Basically they deserve medals for tolerating a system whose aim is to give them a certificate, not an education.

The town- Small. Very small. There's a nice hotel with pool a few miles away, and one or two decent Indian restaurants, but that's it more or less. Don't even think that there might be any decent cafes. Ibra's main attraction is its vicinity- to Muscat (hour and a half), the coast (two hours) and the desert (ehm, everywhere). That said, the locals are, like everywhere else in Oman, wonderful.

The company- Whatever they say in the contract, they'll do it. Just don't expect anything else.

In short, a fine place to live and work for a year or two, unless you're a pill-popping raver who spends his weekends on benders.

georgemcduff · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 16

Oh, the salary. You'd be able to save loads.
From 850 R? I used to save at least 650.

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

So happy to see a post from someone who has been there.

Wonderful description of life in the villages of Oman as a Ministry teacher... Comedy Central it is. Laughing

(but sometimes not in a good way...)

VS

omani_chick · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 6

georgemcduff claims to have been able to save 650R from 850R...

I'm gobsmacked! There's so much to see and do here in Oman. Clearly he did not have a car, debt, or...er...a social life. Nevertheless, kudos! Hope your stay in Oman was worth every penny...saved.

georgemcduff · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 16

simrishamn · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 30

Thanks for all your information. I just received notice today that I will be placed in Nizwa instead of Ibra.... Seems like I will be there towards the upcoming weekend...