Job Discussion Forums

Cozzie · Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Has anyone any recent info on cfbt in Abu Dhabi? We have sent c.v's to 'teach anywhere', any comments or ideas for anyother agencies?

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Hi,

A friend of mine is currently working for them in Abu Dhabi, what in particular would you like to know?

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

There's a new manager in place but by all accounts nothing much has changed. Lots of problems - top down management rather than bottum up support for the teachers who deal with the problems in the schools. A lot of teachers have been lost in the UAE and mostly because of a lack of management support. The new manager may sort it out, but it's going to take a very long time. Better to go with Nord Anglia, Cognition or Mosaica who all have better performance records.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:32 am Post subject: CfBT

Whatever happened to CfBT? They used to have a really good reputation for the projects they managed in Malaysia and Morocco etc. But I seem to hear nothing but bad news about the way they handle things - especially personnel matters - in the UAE and Oman.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

They are in the Asian region and successful there too. Probably why people are getting caught working for them in the UAE - unfortunately, the management skills don't transfer. It can't be the teachers who are wrong when so many of them have lost their jobs. If a few had lost their jobs, then yes you'd think it was the odd teacher or so.

only1life · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 19

What on earth gave you the impression CfBT was well managed in Malaysia? It was a farce and I'm writing an article now to explain why it was. Until teacher trainer programs get a grasp on cultural/contextual issues and learn the difference between teacher development and teacher training, these problem will continue. No doubt management in the UAE have the same ego driven focus, which will end up creating a cadre of select inflated egos while others will grunt it out. No point talking to these kinds of managers either. They just don't get it.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

If you want an idea of how well things are NOT going for cfbt in the UAE, search the TES website. They are the only employer offering positions with an immediate start. They've been losing their HR and teaching staff so quickly, they're in fear of not being able to meet their committments. Not to mention what they hope to commit to next year! People think the new manager will make a difference - one day, but right now middle manaement is the problem and that's not being looked at closely enough to make a difference in the schools. Their staff is unhappy and the schools they work in are not happy.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:11 am Post subject:

only1life wrote

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

I look forward to reading what you've written also. Somewhere on this forum some time back someone provided a link to a site with complaints about cfbt. If you can pick up on that vague description to find the link again, maybe you should try to publish on the same one! By all accounts cfbt has performed so poorly, it's worthy of note to the overarching authorities in the uae.

carlen · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 172 Location: UAE

I worked for CfBT in the past and have nothing positive to say about them. Found myself in a conversation today with someone who was thinking of joining them We have a number of x-CfBT staff in our organization. On information he had gathered he has decided not to accept.
Most of us were even sacked from CfBT but are flourishing in another company. What does that say about them.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

carlen, it says that many of the middle management of cfbt needs to be sacked!

BOBBYSUE · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

Wow! This is an interesting thread for someone like me. I joined CfBT in Brunei and have nothing BAD to say about them, especially given my knowledge of other organisations (some of which are mentioned above). It does sound as though they must be bad in the UAE, but it may still be worth making two points:
1. 3-4 people complaining about CfBT gives the impression that they are bad, but are they? One of the above posters has admitted being sacked by the company. A group of people that has been sacked is unlikely to give a balanced view of the company. That they allegedly flourish in another company may mean many things...one interpretation would be that they learned their lesson and improved their behaviour...another could be that the new organisation does not have such high standards and will put up with anyone!
2. Here in Brunei CfBT is looking for new teachers also. This is because the client increased the number of teachers it wanted. That's surely a sign that the client is pleased and wants more of what it is getting from the company. When a client asks for more, it's not generally a sign that the provider is weak!

Of course, this is not to say that the middle management at CfBT in the UAE are not awful...perhaps they are.
B

carlen · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 172 Location: UAE

Now lets see 20 years in education, nothing but glowing evaluations. Even worked for CfBT in Asia, AOK, come to the UAE and I am sacked. Believe me its CfBT here, they are just awful!

BOBBYSUE · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

..sounds like they must be then, Carlen! Isn't the new guy mentioned above making any difference?

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

bobbysue, your points are valid and usually they apply. in the UAE - they definitely do not! if you're with them in brunei, you know the new fellow well. heard that was his last post. he has one heck of a mess to clean up in the UAE and middle management hasnt been touched up to now. he's busy protecting them, in fact! until he's been through them and turfed the trouble makers who don't understand their job descriptions, cfbt won't make one iota of improvement. i heard on the weekend that the CD out in AA started the year with 3 English PTs - she now has only 1 because she didn't support their role in the school. not a good way to start the second term i'd say, wouldn't you? carlen is right, believe me!