Job Discussion Forums

[spie]

Hi
I have been offered a science teacher position in Dubai. I am an NQT from the UK, they have offered me accomodation, flights, 9000, and medical card. what do you think about this? is it a fair deal?

thanks for your time

[moralleader1]

It is always case per case.

Are you married? Single? Waiting for a divorce paper? kids? Your life style? Male? Female? Alcoholic? workholic? netholic? Any payments to do home? Financial obligations? New on the job? Many years of teaching experience under your belt?

Finally, are you desperate?

9000 seems low if you are a qualified teacher with many years of teaching experience?

Hope this helps!

[spie]

I am a newly qualified teacher and single, no kids, netaholic and alcoholoic!
It is rather difficult to know if this is a fair wage as I have never travelled to Dubai.

[mishmumkin]

I think that offer, given the fact that you're an NQT, is avergae for many of the decent K-12 employers. Care to share the name of the school who's provided the offer?

[mishmumkin]

One last note, if you're going to spend both nights of the weekend out drinking, it will be very easy to piss away that money. Otherwise, that salary, provided that you don't have a sea of debt back home nor arrive in the UAE hoping to buy a car you could never afford in the uK, would allow you to take nice holidays and stash away a bit of cash each month.
For many teachers in the Gulf like yourself, it's not that 9000 isn't enough. It's just that the nightlife makes it so easy to spend.

[spie]

thanks for your help,
I have asked the school to reconsider the salary, as I do like to go out at the weekends and have a laugh. As I am single, quiet nights in drive me crazy!

[mishmumkin]

[spie]

sounds like a foreign experience! teaching and holiday dont usually come in the same sentance.
The school is http://srsdubai.com. Do you know anything aboutit? gossip?

thanks

[mishmumkin]

Yes, I have one friend that's been working for them for over 4 years now, and I've known other teachers to spend a couple years w/ them, as well. It's not a bad place to start at all. I know that there have been some Primary Coordinators who've passed through and caused a bit of agro for their staff, but overall it's a decent gig. The accommodation is a building that I think the school owns (which means you'll be surrounded by colleagues-not always the best scenario). It's located in Al Qasais-closer to the school though not the prettiest part of town (so much construction in that area when I was in the UAE last January). Anyway, the accommodation is quite decent.

It is a pretty conservative dress code compared to other schools (not sure if you're male or female), and the kids, though sweet, are not the brightest bulbs.

[spie]

Thanks again
It doesn't sound bad, I agree that living with work colleagues is not ideal.
It is nice to get away from work once finished, however I am sure it will be of benefit to start with. I may look for different accomodation later.

I am male last time I looked:)

[mishmumkin]

The thing about Dubai and accommodation is that it's REALLY expensive. SRS is not known for handing out an accommodation allowance-it's cheaper for them to use their own places. If I could choose between being given money and being given an actual property, I'd take the physical property UNLESS it was a) horrible or b) they were throwing money at me for the accommodation (which never happens for people in our industry).

[mishmumkin]

I just saw the 30,000 dirham allowance. That will not allow you to rent your own place in Dubai-at least not a decent one. Studios in an ok part of town are running over 40,000/year. You could share a place, but even two teachers on 60,000 dirhams between them will not likely find a place for that price.

[spie]

Thanks again

you are a great help ta!