Job Discussion Forums

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

TeachAway is not an official agency for anything but itself! It's just one of a number of recruiters for ADEC which is now casting its net wider than ever before in order to get as many staff as possible as it begins its takeover of providers who haven't been performing up until now. No P4s remember? Why not? Because too many of them haven't performed and ADEC takes over when they don't.

beets · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 17

It's funny I just saw the teach away ad on craigslist and had a feeling it may be unreliable... Then again, I am new to this forum (hello everyone!) but am looking to teach in Dubai.

Does anyone know of "good" or "reputable" recruiters?

Thanks in advance for your comments Smile

Sunburnt Individual · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 91

PPP4 means there is no more expansion in the PPP into other schools. However, teachers in PP1 schools (those schools that finished their three years) have to get a certain score on the IELTS if they want to keep their jobs. All math, science, and of course English are supposed to be English medium from now on. From what I've seen, a great proportion of the teachers will NOT be able to fill that requirement. I'd think that would explain part of the recruitment push.

The public school jobs DO pay very well, plus housing allowance and furnishing allowance. The hours are low, too.

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

huriyyahsmum · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Maryland, USA

So, are they legit or not? I just had a phone interview with one of their placement coordinators and it went fine. According to the him, if I am short-listed, I will interview with Abu Dhabi public school reps in New York (my selection) in mid-May. Job is suppose to start in August. Please reply as I really would like to live/work in Abu Dhabi..

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

Yes, they are one of the legitimate recruiters for ADEC, but do some reading around on the boards to see the problems that may occur. It will give you more realistic expectations of the program and life there. This recruiter does not yet have a track record to check.

This is a particular program for the public schools, but the vast majority of Western expat teachers in the Gulf do NOT use a recruiter at all. You can apply directly to schools and universities, and that is the preferred way to get jobs with the better employers.

VS

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

huriyyahsmum · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Maryland, USA

Thanks for the reality check. I am quite aware of what we (my husband and two children are joining) are in for. Another question: what should i expect in terms of accomodations. The placement coordinator says that it's single and based on family size. They apparently have furnished and unfurnished apartments (with a furniture allowance if unfurnished)My husband will also be teaching for them as well. Specifically:

1. approximate square footage
2. What amenities
3. location in relation to schools
4. How much would i need for a decent furniture allowance
5. anything else that i would need to know.

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

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

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

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

Hey Carlen,

TeachAway doesn't seem to be the only recruiter because this ad just ran here on Dave's:

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=19375

Depending upon experience and credentials, a teacher will earn a take home salary of �26,000 � �36,000 per annum
� Accommodation (apartment) will be provided by ADEC; furniture or furniture allowance provided
� Contract will be for 2 years, renewable
� Heath insurance to be provided by UAE national insurance company
� End of service bonus computed on basic salary as noted in the contract
� Annual paid leave � around 10 weeks in summer, plus government holidays
� Airfare from home country to Abu Dhabi for self, spouse and up to three children under the age of eighteen at commencement and end of contract

Is it the same package?

VS

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

The organization looks legit.
- they're not asking for cash up front (a sure sign)
- they have a real physical address under "contact us"
- the pay they're advertising is consistent with the prevailing rate of pay.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

TeachAway and TeachAnywhere like CPL Training are only recruiters, then you will be handed on to ADEC or one of the PPP providers themselves. No recruiters have any say with your actual employment contract, which is what verifies your employment. They are paid to begin the filtering process only. Initially, you'll be given an Agreement to sign a contract - that is not your contract and can be declared nul and void according to the whim of the employer - then you'll have to sign an actual Contract, which can also be declared nul and void according to the whim of the employer. Not until you have your actual employment visa, residency visa and MoL Contract are you actually contracted to any school, so even coming to the UAE having resigned from a secure position is a major risk. It isn't wise to uproot a family under these circumstances unless your current situation is worse and for many South Africans, this is the case, so they take the risks involved.

The MoE is not recruiting in the Abu Dhabi emirate, it's ADEC or PPP providers. The MAG project is in Dubai and other outlying emirates and is controlled by the MoE, which is the reason their employees are HCT-sponsored.

All PPP providers are answerable to ADEC, which is answerable to PENTA, the inspection body, and the Sheikh.

There are no schools in Al Ghabria and not a single decent school in Al Ain, I'm told, so as far as teaching couples with kids go, it's better to be asked to be posted to Abu Dhabi where the choices are wider and the quality is relatively good.

The Dubai emirate has run out of money - their roads are a nightmare and construction has stopped on almost everything. 10,000s fo 1000s of Visas were cancelled here in February. There's plenty of accommodation now because people are leaving for their homes in middle-eastern and other countries every day. All of these are reasons not to choose Dubai or the other poorer emirates.

Nord Anglia and CfBT are performing badly in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain respectively, so if your recruiter is looking for staff for either one in those places, it's a case of BUYER BEWARE! Sabis also has a bad name across the PPPs.

Carlen and veiledsentiments both contribute valid and wise advice.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

sunburnt individual,

No Emirati can ever lose a job anywhere across the UAE, no matter how bad their English language or other workplace skills may be. The staff likely to be replaced will be other middle-eastern teachers and many of them will retain their jobs because they can speak Arabic.

PPP providers not performing will see out their contracts in the schools they are currently in and then be replaced by ADEC, eventually, if not at the end of the current year. That's been the case from the beginning of the school reform process.