Job Discussion Forums

mortman · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 9

Hi,

Does anyone know if I am able to apply directly to the MoE in Brunei or do I have to go through a recruiter? The recruiter that I started the process with in Oz has everything on hold until next year and isn't that responsive to questions about when it will be back up and running.

Thanks.

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi

If your subject is English, apply through CfBT. (www.cfbt.org)
If it is another subject, you could try applying directly to the MoE, but I fear it may be a slow process.

JS

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

MOE is probably (unofficially) on holiday too.....Brunei school holidays From Nov 30th till Jan 5th. I wouldn't expect much movement on any front until that is over.

lacsap · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 38 Location: South East Asia

There have been, as far as I know, no new hires of expat teachers for secondary schools in any subject, by the Brunei MoE in years. Really, CFBT are the only show in town and they only hire fully qualified, PGCE (or equivalent) teachers for English language. Unless you want to try the International schools, of which there are two, International School Brunei and Jerudong International School nothing else really is available. The MoE were always spectacularly inefficient when they did hire their own, keeping people waiting for a year or more, then having no housing ready, teachers having to stay in a hotel for up to 6 months. There are some remaining direct hire teachers who are still working here, and they tell us tales of contracts not being honoured, allowances not being paid, contracts being ended for no apparent reason. Forget the MoE.

gajackson1 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210

coming from a guy who has recently done it, I can tell you: you *can* apply directly, but it is pointless, honestly.

If you are a good, qualified teacher (from one of the major English-speaking countries normally associated with ESL/EFL in Asia) with all the paperwork in order, and NOT from the USA, go through CfBT - there are PLENTY of jobs, and barring something really, really wrong with you, you will be hired, in all probability.

Don't be put off by the fact CfBT is 'recruiting' - if you have heard bad stories about recruiters in the past (I was in Korea 10 years; the ones I can share are horrific!), they do not apply to CfBT, I can assure you.

If you are an American with proper credentials, and hoping to 'get around' CfBT's 'no USA applicants' policy, please also understand: CfBT takes that stance directly FROM the MoE - it is the MoE policy, not CfBT's! A direct application to the MoE will be ignored, or permanently filed away, or sent to CfBT, who will essentially/effectively do the same thing.

If it is some element of the 'required credentials' - such as degree, etc. you don't meet, but are hoping to 'get around' - forget it. I think the standards set are reasonable, and both the CfBT and the MoE stick by them (and rightly so).

If the Oz recruiter is 'backing off,' there may have been a policy shift there, as well - when I was originally recruited/offered a CfBT job, the MoE had temporarily lifted the 'no USA' policy last year - but I couldn't come then; I was still under contract in Korea. Later on, they reverted back to the no USA policy - which is where it sits now. It is entirely possible (but speculation!!!) something similar could have happened with the recruiting agency in Oz you mentioned - but the CfBT site seems fine!

The same would seem to be the case for the TRU at the MoE and other government-related teaching-type posts, sadly to say. If you are eligible for CfBT, 95% of the jobs here in Brunei are open to you.

As for other schools - well, there ARE more than 2 international schools. In another thread somewhere, I listed them? Or provided a link to the wikipedia list of them? But they include not only JIS & ISB (which are adding/updating vacancies on their respective websites now) but also Panaga, Chung Hwa, and a bunch of St. XXXX schools (St. Andrew's, St. George's, etc.) There are also colleges and UBD.

Just do a search on the Brunei threads & other 'possibilities' will turn up for you. I've been on the ground knocking on doors the last 6 months - as a certified teacher (but from the USA); if I can be of further help, I will.

Regards & regrets,

Glen

mortman · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks for the information. I am actually a history teacher fully qualifed in Oz with eight years experience.

I have been in contact with CfBT in Australia and apparently they are only interested in english teachers despite the fact the ad here says humanities (!). I am upgrading my quals this year to include English as a recognised method I am pretty much teaching it anyway and to upgrade only takes a couple of months.

The non-CfBT recruiter is looking for all disciplines to teach in MoE schools. Unfortunately that is as much info as I have as all recruitment is on hold until early Jan. Apparently if anything happens in this field it will be for March/April start. Seems like a long slow process at the moment!

Does anyone know about the experience component for CfBT? If I upgrade my quals will the nine years I have teaching another subject count or do I need three years dedicated to English? I ahve asked the recruiter but she didn't seem to know/understand the question!

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi

I will double check and get back to you....

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Just to let you know - the 9 years spent teaching History would indeed count towards the years necessary for the CfBT application. However, a minimum of one year teaching ESL is also needed.

This was information I obtained by contacting CfBT Brunei . If the recruiter cannot answer any queries(!) it would be a good idea to email CfBT Brunei HR manager directly....or ask on this forum, of course!