Job Discussion Forums

[squareandfair]

Personally, I'd rather read comments from teachers on the ground who actually work in institutions discussed on these threads or have worked in them . Armchair comments are well and good if you personally know the people who PM you and can trust their comments. All too often some people PM some of the regular posters with information that contradicts the truth on the ground. When people write of injustice or unfair practices, most of the time it'strue. In my experience it's usually not griping or sour grapes but people telling the truth about what goes on in a place. Most comments are intended as cautionary notices.

[grab-bag]

Exactly. Most people who post here just want to tell it like it is. Armchair comments are fine but if the people who PM the armchair observer have an agenda like trying to cover up or mislead the observer as to the real problems and issues or are trying to justify their draconic policies, then you just have to go with the posters on the ground. These are the people who are experiencing the problems so they have a right to be heard and not shot down as renegade complainers.

As a consultant, I get to hear about the many trials and tribulations that teachers expereince in different institutions in this region. Most problems start from the top down not the bottom up. Unfair treatment of staff will inevitably result in problems. From personal experience, I find that administrators usually try to cover up their bad management practices by passing the buck: blaming the staff for the problems or doing a cover-up. Unfair treatment and dismissal practices and racial bias cannot and should not be justified under any circumstances. Most teachers are just trying to get by - doing their job and having a life - but when they are confronted with a management that treats them badly, overworks them, abuses authority, fires without just cause, and operates a system of reporting and spying, then I would say these people have a right to tell it like it is. If the people on the ground aren't believed, then we have come to a sorry state of affairs.

There is a place for the armchair observer but make sure the sources are reliable (remember Deep Throat) and not moles trying to deflect the problems.

This forum provides people with an opportunity to air their views and express their concerns about the places they work and the people they work for. Ignore the silly posters but pay attention to the ones with the real issues.

[bje]

LOL I love it when one poster bearing two different names has a little online 'dialogue'...

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, sock-puppets are so cute...

VS

[squareandfair]

Always needling. A lot of people echo my views, that doesn't make me a sock puppet. How juvenile! My socks are clean!! I have no idea who grabbag is but I sure agree with some of the stuff he says. The only thing we share, apart from similar opinions about posters'commentaries, is that we have both worked with you but in different places. He's mentioned that in several posts. When I want information about a place, I rely on people who have had the personal experience of working in the places they post information about. I find that's the most reliable source. What I don't understand is why some posters act as a mouthpiece for people who should come on board and express their point of view. Anyway keep on posting ....

[veiledsentiments]

Too bad that many people are afraid to post because of the nastiness level of some members here... especially when the little socks gather into a group attack. Way too common here on the Qatar board...

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I take back my supportive-like posting of squareandfair. You're a completely different person than I imagined...more Rhombus-shaped...and...more "middlin"!

NCTBA

[wilberforce]

In the field gives you first hand knowledge and experience of what goes on in a place. However, I get a lot of second hand info from my gal pals in the private schools. That's pretty reliable. But I wouldn't trust comments from someone I don't actually know.

[veiledsentiments]

But Wilbur... that means that no one should trust you.

And I have found your advice on Qatar to be very helpful.

VS

[wilberforce]

Touche, VS. But I tend to rely on info I hear directly into my own (rather large and unattractive) ears. That's what I mean by getting it on the ground. You're doing a good job of keeping us all on our toes.