Job Discussion Forums

[windstar]

I think there is a power game and the victims are the teachers. Colleges of Technology, through recruiters fired many people, most of them native or from passport holders from english speaking countries. In an example, in one of the colleges, the head of the section is a canadian, the rumour is that when she does not like you, she calls your recruiter and you are terminated which happened to a close friend of mine and four others faced almost the same consequences.

[Takahiwai]

I think the problem probably lies with CfBT, which refers to itself as a provider rather than a recruiter. In case you don't know, the organisation is officially classed as a charity in the UK. CfBT has recently undergone some major changes in its senior management, and all of us who are currently employed by them in the UAE hoped that this would mean a change in their corporate mindset too. For anyone contemplating a contract with CfBT in EFL, you should know that the company believes that 'if you can speak the language, you can teach it'. EFL teachers are not valued at all, as the majority of people working in senior management positions in any of CfBT's overseas operations are from mainstream UK, Australian or New Zealand education. If I tell you that here in the UAE, those of us who are EFL teachers are referred to as 'backpackers' by the Abu Dhabi senior management, you may get some idea of the regard in which EFL is held by CfBT. In the past I freely admit that I have been something of an apologist for the company, but as I have seen well over half of my colleagues disappearing over the horizon I have come to realise that it's my bounden duty to warn others who may be contemplating a move here to think again. This company has a good reputation in the UK, but it does not look after or respect its staff overseas.

[Hiawatha]

VS (I have heard) that Americans are targeted, not by the Omanis, but others "in charge". There were only a few Americans to begin with, yet now I think there won't be any.

[DesertIsland]

VS short answer, no, on both counts. Long answer, it would appear so.

We don't have conclusive evidence as to why people did not have there contracts renewed so it is not possilbe to say whether or not nationality played a part in the fiasco. CfBT nor the MoHE have to give a reason for nont renewing. They are legally in the right if morally bankrupt. As someone said earlier, CfBT is a provider, perhaps they are going the same way as the USA 'health provider' system.

Wrong stats, edited out, thanks VS. Number 8 is a non-native speaker whose English is flawless. So, 4 out of 8 were American. So that is 50%. It is a lot.

But, the largest group of employees at Nizwa are UK (12) passport holders. Of these 2 were NCR's.

There is a move to have all non-native speakers removed from the colleges of applied sciences. It is unclear if this includes Omanis Omanization becomes a little blurry on this issue.

[veiledsentiments]

[007]

[veiledsentiments]

[DesertIsland]

Sorry about the stats. SandyMan has the correct figures (see other post).
It's not about the A's vs the B's. That's the wrong road to go down. CfBT would surely steer clear of that one--Centre for British Teacher's what ho.

[rocketchild]

mmmm sounds familar
firing or non renewal of mostly expat staff.

then next term they bring in younger, greener staff,
some expat, lots of Indians (cheaper), a few Omanis (Omanization is growing fast)

cheap staff is what they want.

now that the U of N has past its few year mark, they feel a bit more
established it sounds and want to bring in the non-native teachers.

they never never learn do they.

They use native teachers to establish a reputation, and after a few years they dumb down the school with 20 year old teachers with one years teaching experience in a JET program. And a few seasoned Indian ladies, who speak a kind of 1950's english....with varying accents that range from mostly audible to highly inaudible, but over all really sweet people...with families to feed, so you don't criticize them cuz you 'feel' for them.

the majority of the staff won't be able to write emails properly, all in broken english, and the admin will merely ask you to sign in and sign out.



Happens all over OMAN. shame.

the biggest loser will be the country and the long term education system.

Don't bother writing to the MOE about your concern for the state of the education system. It is staffed by people who sign in and sign out and know nothing about education.

[Takahiwai]

[williamh]

Rocketchild - great post - that is exactly what happened at Dhofar University - most of the western ex-pats were not given new contracts and there are now about 10 very nice ladies (non-native English speakers) teaching in Foundation

[paperclip]

ah the Centre for British Teachers - how grand, the Centre that Frames British Teachers would be more apt. So now we are all 'mestizos' we are all 'backpackers' but some are more welcome than others. The Centre that Frames British Teachers having recruited or should that be provided me has now more or less abandoned me to a college in Nizwa that is, most of the time, distinctly sinister. The HoD is vindictive and vengeful and has repeated more than once that he has no custodial responsibilities to staff. "I do not care about any of you" quote. Meanwhile the backpacking Head of Country has taken this week off (classic management cowardice), the Dean (massively out of his depth)
is also away for a week and the macabre HoD fires another senior teacher - (Ministry employee) for the bizarre reason that the teacher had not completed forms that were actually unavailable. Victoria University Wellington and CfBT are both colluding in yet another teaching scam in the Middle East. That they expect conscientious teachers to remain silent as they witness this corruption is deplorable. But, should you speak up at meetings then you can expect to be fired (ahem - non-renewed).

[sliderama]

no broad stereotyping goin' on here, nope....

[007]

[veiledsentiments]