Job Discussion Forums

TouchDownTexas · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Texas

Does anyone have info on this school? I may be offered a job there next year and would like to have some input from some of you internationally savvy experts!

Thanks!!

trapezius · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

I would say to avoid any Saudi private school. You DO NOT want to deal with rich Saudi students.

Apply to these schools:

http://www.isgdh.org/

missieUAE · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

I was offered a job there once as well. I didn't take it, obviously, but has anyone worked there? It sounded interesting but as it turned out I was not in a position to move abroad at the time.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Don't do it. Avoid these places at all costs. I mean ANY private school in KSA. Private universities are not much better. See other posts on places like PMU, Dar Al Uloom etc

Get a decent employer like one of the State Universities or a military contract.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Follow the advice on this board...especially the one offered by trapezius!

Been 'dere done 'dat...the scars are still there every time I pick at the scab!

NCTBA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Think seriously about not coming at all. A contract in KSA is not something to be taken on lightly. KSA is a life-changing experience. The changes are not always for the better.

missieUAE · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

Yeah, I never seriously considered it (it was probably about 2 years ago that I had that offer from Bayan Gardens). As a single woman I don't think I'd be comfortable with so many restrictions.

Out of curiosity, what is it about Saudi private schools in particular, would you say, that makes them such a bad idea?

trapezius · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject:

missieUAE · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

All right....but could you elaborate on what makes those schools suitable only for masochists? I'm genuinely curious here...what in particular makes them so awful? I mean, are we talking "the students are disrespectful," or "torture chambers in every administrator's office," or.....?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The students are spoiled rotten at home... and run the school. It is the perfect example of the inmates running the asylum. Friends of mine who have taught at private schools - with the children of the wealthy royals - can regal you for hours with truly nightmarish tales. Some that use the American system and hire through the ISS conferences bring in these first time expats and they start leaving the first week... the "run screaming for the airport" type of leaving.

I'm sure Trapezius will write a great book for us once he retires which will give us endless examples from both the students and the managements. Cool

VS

flowerpetal · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 1

Agree with trapezius about staying away from Saudi students.

Also, stay away from BGS. Aside from the fact there is no curriculum, no communication, some teachers are on the wrong visas and never get their iqamas, we have to hide in the stables or the boys' side of the building when the Ministry of Education does inspections, and the school is controlled by the parents, there is also a frightening situation with a Canadian teacher who tried to resign and they will not give her her passport.

The administrators and director say it is because she did not give 3 months' notice, but really she was in her probation period and should be allowed to leave. They have made it a legal issue so her consulate cannot get involved. They demand either she stay for 3 months or give them 3 months' salary, which she doesn't have and they also held a meeting with her students telling them she is lying about her reasons for wanting to leave and that she is stealing from the school! Yikes! Most of the N. American staff is up in arms about the situation and one other teacher almost quit herself over it. Needless to say there will be many openings for teachers for next year if you are brave enough!

redeyes · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 254

I see Trapezius implying that ( amongst others ) lebanese management should be avoided -- I see that advice very often on these boards -- what is it about Lebanese management then, that should be avoided?

johnslat · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:57 am Post subject:

Dear
Well, I can't speak about Lebanese management, but the absolute best Director I ever had was a Palestinian, Isaac Diqs.
Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:53 am Post subject:

I don't think that we can broadbrush "Lebanese Management", but there are many of the type. That type...let's call them "Med Arabs" tend to be more educated than, say, "Gulf Arabs" due to historical circumstances, therefore, tend to hold management positions in this area's educational institutions.

That, coupled with not wanting to work in their home countries due to the low wages or lack of jobs available leads them to, by and large, pander to the wasta of these folk. Their backbones turn into rubber as they bend over backwards to please the local folk who would typically fail at standardized tests. And, of course, failure and the resulting "loss of face" would result in a one-way ticket home for the management person involved.

I don't even know if they let themselves be aware of how badly they prostitute themselves to satisfy the locals. I remember how my lil' Saudi princes used to commonly refered to our Lebanese school director openly as a "Lebanese dog". Real sweethearts they were.

NCTBA

bergerac · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 12