Job Discussion Forums

[Duffy]

Sandyman,

Could you clarify whether these teachers were fired as in "Your fired!" Or is it the case that they have been told that their contracts are not being renewed?

There is a difference.

Duffy

[denise]

I just saw CfBT's ad on tefl.com. The contact name is someone I've never heard of--she's not the manager in Muscat. And the organization listed is... teachanywhere?!? Has the recruiter hired a recruiter to do its recruiting?!? I also noticed that the starting salaries are the same as what they were at the start of this academic year--meaning new hires will be paid less than returnees, since the contracts offered to returning teachers include a raise. The deadline for applying is 23 May, which is a week before the teachers who were not fired have to say whether or not they are renewing their contracts. They may have to extend the deadline to account for resignations.

I'm not sure what is going on with the recruitment process, but it seems a bit odd.

d

[SandyMan]

Duffy,

Their contracts were not renewed.

[sliderama]

hi denise,

your observations are spot on. I am in the middle of being recruited by CfBT and they suddenly did an about face and i am starting all over in the recruitment process with teachanywhere. I also noticed the lower salary and intend to negotitiate the 15% that had already been mentioned.

a recruiter using a recruiter to do their recruiting!

[DesertIsland]

Hey FB

You know more than the crew who didn't have their contracts renewed. Who were you talking to?

The last week of classes, Nizwa superiors were walking around the corridors checking on who was teaching or not. Being the last week of classes, the majority of students had collectively decided not to come to class. Amazing how they do that. Teachers had sat in their class room for at least ten minutes before leaving. So, I don't think what you were told was the exact truth. Many of the teachers here are not interested in playing a game they are more interested in teaching--mushkallah.

Teachers at the COAPS's have to teach for 1 hr 40 mins, regardless. Now and again though everyone gives in to the constant cry of 'finish time' 'finish time' 'finish time' 'finish time' teacher, teeeeeeeeeeeecher, teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecher! One wouldn't be human if one didn't give in now again. Even a camel would give in.

There is no reason for one's contract not to be renewed if the class doesn't show up. Is there?

[flutterbayou]

You know I can't say who it was who told me

And he did not mean that people were not serious about teaching. What he DID allude to was that the game of being a stalwart citizen and showing up at the required place at the right time gets the right notice... while those who took off early and shortened classes got the wrong notice.

In a few months, when these non-renewables have good jobs elsewhere, with interested students somewhere in the heart of a generous culture and amiable circumstances, they will smile and be glad.

Working abroad should be a joy, not a continuous struggle.

[SandyMan]

Teacher number eight was fired today. This is a directly employed PhD teacher, very loyal and hardworking, who has worked in Nizwa College of Applied Sciences for many years.

We are all very upset. The reason given (there is actually a reason this time!) was that she had not filled in the request form for contract renewal by the due date (some time in December). What might be significant in this context is that the Ministry did not have the form available until February, which is when they sent it to her and she filled it in.

And, yes, by "fire" I mean not having her contract renewed.

[DesertIsland]

Shameful situation.

As a self-confessed non-native L1 Arab speaker my number is up as soon as I turn 60. Forget or lose the papers? Easy. This is the way they can get rid of me without having to deal with me face to face. It is also rumored that the HOD of any COAS English Department can veto a decision made by the MoHE. If anyone knows the answer to the following question you win ... . Can a ministry decision not to renew a ministry hire, or a CfBT hire's contract be revoked by the HOD of that employees department?

It is difficult working in Oman. Agism, racism, discrimination, feudalism, tribalism, and on and on, all work against us. We Xpats, Arabic, Asian and Caucasian, are without any rights.

What is that poem about for whom the bell tolls it tolls for thee?

[windstar]

Four of my friends' contracts from a rescruiting agency have not been renewed. The case first was reported to the ministry through dean's office and the ministry simply renders its final approval, it is something procedural to OK HOD's list. You are not alone. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that if you are not renewed for the next term, it means you KNOW something and they envy your professionalism which they lack of.

[SandyMan]

Perchance he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill,
as that he knows not it tolls for him
...
No man is an island, entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main
...
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind,
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.

John Donne

++++++++++++++

Very apt, DesertIsland, Very apt.

[007]

[DesertIsland]

Thanks SandyMan, Windstar and 007.

[Hiawatha]

Does anyone know how many of the 8 "non-renewals" are American?

[DesertIsland]

Three out of the six CfBT non-contract renewals (NCR's) are American. One MoHe NCR is also American.

[veiledsentiments]

Does it appear that they are targeting Americans or is it just that most of the hires have been American?

VS