Job Discussion Forums

Bette · Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 43

Does anyone have any info on this school. I have been offered a job teaching lower elementary students.
Thank so much

irishgal · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Hi Bette,

I have also been offered a job at this school, sounds good to me, did you accept?

camelman · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Oman

I would not go anywhere near them. I was there five years ago and would not recommend them.

They don�t pay on time and the accommodation is terrible. It will take ages to get a visa and if you are one of the lucky ones you will get it. A few of us went the whole year on visit visas. They will tell you that household bills are covered by them but as soon as the summer months come along you will be forced to pay yourself. The furniture was filthy and well used! You may be asked to live on the school grounds in accommodation or be placed in a building in a run down area of Sharjah.
The director of the school will expect you pass all the students and the students are out of control in the higher classes. The elementary school is ok but you are expected to work your breaks doing playground duty. You will be expected to teach the day after you arrive in Dubai. There is no support for the teachers and the English department HoD, well she is unqualified and holds an RSA typing certificate. She will drop you in it and stab you in the back. She has been there for about 15 years.

Stay away; there are far better places around. Have you tried Emirates International School (EIS)? They are located in the Springs are of Dubai, they also have a school in Jumerah. Check it out.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

boxcarwilly · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 85

Nibras is a garbage dump.

umhudhaiyfah · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 2 Location: USA

u know.. it's funny .. i interviewed there at the school in August... was offered a job on the spot. i was reconsidering looking it again until i read your post... and yup i can imagine that the accommodations and conditions would be just like that.. ooohhh.. the slow to pay was the clincher for me.
still looking 4 a job.
umhudhaiyfah

survivorkitty · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 17

I live in New York and I had a phone interview with Al Maarifa International school and I was offered a job as well.
They sent me the paper work and all-from the paper work they seem to be organized... but now after reading this post I am very concerned.
I was really excited about this opportunity....
does anyone else have any ideas/experiences they can share with us about al maarifa international school?

thank you Confused

bacasper · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 32

survivorkitty · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 17

What was the name of the recruiter who contacted you?
I had a lady named (MOD edit).... something that grabbed my attention was that she had a yahoo account.. shouldnt she have a school acount (email). Does that mean its a scam? or the person who contacted me is pulling a scam?

and yes does anyone have any updated information on this school? Rolling Eyes

(Edit for names - MOD)

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

Small schools may or may not have a dedicated email. The giveaway of a scam is an unrealistically high offer... often with no interview... and they ask for money to "organize a visa" - which NEVER happens with a legitimate employer. If they ask for any money for anything, it is a scam.

VS

Jishi-girl · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

I have been offered a job at Al Maarifa International School to teach Pre-K, and am pretty tempted. If anyone has any updated information on the school, I would really like to hear it!

Thank you so much!

renate · Joined: 01 Aug 2009 Posts: 13

Hi Everyone,
So i am here to update you on Al Ma'arifa Int Pvt Sch. I am going to do this in two sections as i have tired to post this a few times and it logs me out. Generally the pay comes in on the last day of the month, it has been late a few times but I have been there a few years so that's not too bad. You will get your first pay as a cheque at the end of sep, so make sure you have engouh money till then. My accomodation is good and most of the teachers live in the same building, it is 5 mins from school and taxi's are cheap about 6dhs ( 1.80 US ) each way. In the past teachers who arrive after 24th of aug start the day after they arrive so, get here early and settle in. It's pretty hot there this time of year temps are 110+ most days.

renate · Joined: 01 Aug 2009 Posts: 13

As for visa's make sure all your paper work is ready before you go eg; stamped, attested ect. I did not have a visa in my first year and had to make several trips to Oman. You do have to pay the summer vaction bill but if you go away it wont be much. You do have to pay
your own gas bottle, if you cook alot you might go through 2 bottles a year. they cost 100dhs each. If you would like to know anything eles i'll be happy to help.

Jishi-girl · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

I am supposed to work with them this year and leave the US on the 19th. I've sent them my diploma, etc, but I haven't heard anything else from them about visas. I talked to the UAE embassy and they said I should be fine and that the school is supposed to take care of it, but I'm getting nervous. Any advice? Thanks!

renate · Joined: 01 Aug 2009 Posts: 13

Did you get your papers attested and stamped? We were supposed to start on the 23rd but now they say 30th.