Job Discussion Forums

[Duffy]

Never seen this forum so quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must be all are happy with new positions??

[Lima Echo]

Agreed.... and especially disconcerting for us newbies! Has the whole Oman teaching population been bodysnatched, I wonder.....

[denise]

Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I am delighted with my new job!

The entire forum seems to have gone quietly recently, though...

d

[Duffy]

Where are you now D?

Duffy

[denise]

SQU.

d

[Duffy]

Whoopy DOO!!!

Hope you are enjoying the change.

Duffy

[saral]

I've been here four months now and am very happy in Nizwa.

[silverdolls]

duffy, i just emailed u

[jdl]

A year has passed since this post Duffy. Still quiet in Salalah and Oman in general. Another cycle.

'Same same'

Oh by the way did that whole 'credential witch hunt' ever materialize in Salalah or as with most things did it just 'go away'

There has been one significant change in recruiting at least at the MOM schools with the 'English office' in Muscat taking on a much stronger hand in hiring. It seems the colleges have a lot less say in hires. Does the same apply to MoHE

[jdl]

I am somewhat surprised with the lack of activity in the forum given the late school start and so many instructors 'marking time' in the office and cafeteria with very little to do except post.

[Duffy]

jdl

Hi and greetings from Salalah.

The "witch hunt" was applied to all MoHE colleges and they lost a lot of talented yet "non-degree" teachers. Ho Hum.

Also there was a change of policy on renewing over '60 aged employees contracts, (Omani and expatriate) which meant that a lot of really experienced people were involuntarily put out to grass. Me amongst them.

MoHE are still relying on recruiters for the English Departments in all the colleges for whom they are recruiting. Unfortunately CfBT has made some really big boobs when recommending teachers for the wrong student year groups. This has left a lot of resentment by those recently arrived in country.

Seems that the old agency addage "Bums on seats" seems to have been applied and in certain colleges, Salalah amongst them, have been given the (mis)information that placed really experienced teachers in classes, such as Foundation, based on the CfBT "teacher profile" provided by a certain recent additional new member of the recruitment staff of that organisation.

This means that a lot of teachers recruited by CfBT and "profiled" by this new employee, IMHO, will leave before the end of their contract.

Bring back Tim I hear a lot of older CfBT employees cry!!

Duffy

[jdl]

Yes. I guess the '60 and out policy' is being rigorously applied at the MoM colleges as well. Although the policy was always in place with the MoM at least it was not applied with finality. Certainly makes recruitment of qualified mature teachers a thing of the past. Oh well...'this too shall pass' as James Thurber said. Sorry you got caught in that grinder...always Dhofar!

Seems the system is becoming even more centralized with individual colleges having less autonomy in all areas. Does not bode well for innovation and growth. Quality Assurance in its worst manifestation.

Well the up side is Salalah is probably the best place to live in the Mid East so one can just carry on and ignore all the foolishness around one.

With the changes in recruiment I expect the colleges are significantly 'under formula' as far as staffing is concerned.

Good luck Duffy...... get some sun and surf!

[Duffy]

Sun and surf I got aplenty, just need to work!! Who invented this +60 rule in the ME or anywhere it the world!?!?!

I have the mind of an 18 year old, just because I look "Over 60" and my record proves it, I am put out to grass. Just not me but others who can really contribute. Not just here in Oman but all over the world, we are their experience, we are their history.

What happened to the reverence given to the elders because we have the knowledge the youngers need?

I am allowed at least one whinge??

Duffy

[jdl]

Duffy,

Whinge away!

The circle will close when the colleges go the route of the instability and insecurity of the "20/30 something crowd". Once we get to a certain age we can not expect to compete with the younger horses/mules since they do have greater pulling power. After all what is required is muscle in the traces rather than experience and knowledge at the reins. All the unfocused energy however does have its draw back in that it needs experience as a focusing harness. Especially in administration is experience and maturity needed when the staff is young and pulling at the bit. Just love all this farm analogy stuff.

Ever considered Admin? Dhofar?

Or you could just wait for a bit and do a 'walk in' when either college finds itself understaffed and pick up a part time term job which will just naturally translate into a job for as long as you want it. One thing I have learned from my non-western staff is that patience and persistence will erode any 'dictum in stone' as circumstance and need dictate. Don't ya love the way things work over here?

[Duffy]