Job Discussion Forums

[saudimad]

Dear all,

I have been working on the Bell/ORD KSU PY project since its inception in September of 2007. This year I decided to leave and move on to a better place. I just wanted to provide people with up to date and correct info about the project, so that anyone who joins knows what they are getting themselves into.

The project in 2007-2008 was still in its infancy and teachers got away with many things, teaching very few hours, disappearing, not turning up, etc. The management was also a shambles but this was to be expected as it was the first year.

This year (2008-2009) things took a dramatic change. A new management team was put together and teachers were to be kept in check.

Positives of the project:
1. The pay is competitive
2. 20 contact hours a week, but teachers need to be in university for 6.5 hours
3. Two shifts. 7.30am -1.30pm or 11.30am-5pm (on Mondays until 6pm). Teachers don't get to choose they are just slotted in as necessary.
4. A decent teaching body, generally no friction between Muslim and non-Muslim teachers.
5. Teachers are only observed once a semester, however those doing the observing are not qualified to do so.

Negatives about the project
1. Even the management is western they behave as Saudi�s. Shouting and belittling of teachers in front of students and staff is the norm, especially by the academic manager
2. Teachers are looked at as workers and not professional
3. Coordinators are used as buffers between teachers and the management. They have no power or say.
4. General Manager will not accept any questions or advice. All questions are seen as an attack and he will plot the employee�s demise
5. The Wasta system is in operation in the bell management. Those teachers or coordinators who can and do supply the management special favours get special treatment and can get people fired.
6. HR manager promises many things but to date has never been able to produce anything. He has no power or he just doesn't care.
7. The curriculum changes without any notice and teachers are expected to just adapt.
8. From an educational point of view, there has been no thought put into the syllabus by Bell. This is typical for a Saudi entity but was not expected from bell. Bell has adapted to the Saudi way of doing things.
9. Teachers accommodation is disgusting. Getting a housing allowance is almost impossible
10. Getting simple things done takes a long time
11. Payroll has been an issue since September. Teachers have not been paid. Some have been paid a lot less. Any corrections seem to take forever
12 No management. The management have no clue how to manage anything. They are a bunch of dictators not willing to listen to any reason.
13. 11 month contract!!!! even next year!!!!

The current purge:

I was one of the lucky(?) ones and be asked to rejoin but after 2 years of madness had enough. The way they went about getting rid of people was disgusting:

Firstly, they put teachers on pending letters even though they didn't want them back. They didn't have the guts to tell the teachers that they weren't going to be re-hired. Then on the 20th of June they put up a list of teachers in the teachers resource room (like staff room) who Bell wanted back. If your name wasn't there then you and everyone else would know that you were not desired.

If your name wasn't there then you were to see the HR manager. However, he wasn't willing to come to the uni but you had to visit him at the project head office where he was hiding. I couldn't believe that this was a British company!

As for management then they weren't told about there renewal except on the 20th. On the female side many coordinators were not rehired. On the male side only one coordinator was not rehired. Form what I�ve heard, this non renewal was not based upon any professional reason but rather Wasta at play, but don't quote me on it.

I hope this information will help people thinking about joining. I�m glad to see the back of Bell/ORD and KSU

Cheers.

SM

[EFLUndercover]

Thanks Saudimad.

That just about sums it up.

I was on the female side of things on the KSU/Bell project.

Note I said 'was'.

[tefl2010]

I was offered a job at KSU by Bell recruiters and now with all changes there and really bad management�they have just told me that they offer is not valid anymore. Take care!! I have left a good job in order to join this project and finally was treated with this lack of consideration. They are not professionals!

[Citizenkane]

To be honest, a lot of the 'negative' things on your list could be said about most places in KSA.

My analysis is that KSU is not a bad place to work - provided you are single or on a spouse's igama (they don't pay for dependents) and don't expect a massively stimulating work environment.

[wanna_teach]

I am considering a position with bell and KSU and have read the threads about bell. I realize that probably only desperate ppl work there, but I am desperate. I don�t have a MA, so unless I want to teach kids in Asia (and earn decent money), this is pretty much my only option..

I am a female and was wondering if anyone who�s worked there had any insight/advice?

I have read that they keep your passport, is this true?

Is the housing as bad as I have read? Any chance of improvement for September?

What happens if I really hate it there, would I be able to resign? Or would I have to just leave? Would I be able to just leave? This is my main concern if what I have read about housing and other conditions (no air conditioning, internet, gyms etc) are true.

It also seems that they intimidate and threaten teachers with being fired? Does anyone know of anyone getting fired? If you are fired, do you receive all the pay that you are owed?

Any info would be greatly appreciated

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

As long as yer walking in there with eyes wide open. When my eyes are wide open, I tend to avoid walking into a sausage-making machine...but, different strokes fer different folks!

NCTBA

[tefl2010]

In Saudi Arabia you need an Exit Visa, you cannot just leave if you do not like your workplace.