Job Discussion Forums

[mathematist]

Hi everyone.

Since it's this time of year, anybody applying for any of the above?

A friend has been offered a post as an advisor/partnership teacer with 6.5 years experiene (English) for 194000 dhs per year. Is that good for this role or should she expect more.

I'm thinking of going a post myselfor f too. How are the current advisors getting on? Any potential help would be appreciated.

Thanks. Ps, what a great forum and great ppl here,.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Yes, that is a decent beginning salary these days for someone with 6 years' experience. I don't know anything about "advisor" positions and furthermore some of your post is garbled. Does the teacher have a master's or what? I assume that's with the usual free housing?

[mathematist]

thanks mr sheikh! yes, as usual, she'd be getting the housing allowance etc...

Also, is it usual for education allowance to be paid for kids when they reach five as mine is 2?

Thanks again

[Sheikh N Bake]

HCT paid for my kid's schooling beginning from the first grade (post-kindergarten, age 6 in the US system, maybe 5 in the British).

[veiledsentiments]

IIRC... these jobs weren't offering any education allowances in the last couple years... better get that information from someone who is currently teaching with this contract.

VS

[rosyanna]

CfBT and NA have given education allowances since the start of the PPP project, albeit not a great one. I think CfBT give around dh 24000 each for 2 kids now [it was only1 child at the start up]. If you are in Abu Dhabi and work for NA, I think your kids automatically go to the NA school, BISAD.

[ap4058]

Most jobs with providers or operators as they are now called are now Partnership Teachers same as the role of an advisor but on the cheap.

as for school fees bring along lots of dosh, as you are expected to pay the school fees upfront and get the amount back over 12 months! only up to 25,000 per child for 2 kids.

Also if you do work for NA you get a discount but schooling in BISAD is not free.

lastly doesn't really matter how many years of experience you have you all get the same pay which is not fair but that's what you get out here.

[mathematist]

Thanks again. It is strange that experience is not taken into account. Have you worked for one before?

Still waiting for a few more details but otherwise looking forward to it.

[mathematist]

So, any updates on this? Any more people going to this? This year?

[Mekhong]

Hi,

I've passed interviews with 4 PPP operators - NA, SSAT, GEMS and CfBT? The package for all 4 seems fairly similar.

Has anybody got any personal recommendations as to which one is the best to work for? Any to avoid?

Although I've been most impressed with the CfBT HR so far, there are many entries on various forums with bad reports of them as a company? Anybody know why?

Many thanks for any pointers

[ap4058]

Ask for locations as some operators have schools in very very very remote areas.

Do you have kids? If so ask how school fees are paid. Also about transportation, most operators dont provide transport or give allowances. If you have to travel 70Km to and from work.

[mathematist]

Posted by: kola 06/04/2010 at 14:05

Hi, I worked on these projects and please note Im not trying to put you in any way. There are a lot of issues involved which you need to consider before you get carried away with the offer. The posts are very well paid and you do have a great opportunity to engage with staff, develop your CV, get an insight into middle east schools and make loads of money in the process. On the downside, most of the providers are commercial outfts, who, if truth be known, couldnt really give 'two hoots' about what they're there for save for making vast PROFITS from the middle east governments who are being short changed. These organisations are very political and I dont know of anyone that has worked relatively stress free nor from petty internal politics. ie.back biting, resources not turning up, paid late etc... The arab teachers deep down resent you being there as there is nothing these Advisory teachers can teach them as most have been there for many, many years. You are seen as a foreign intruder interfering with their far superior education. (their view). You will be tried and challenged by arabs staff and you must be very, very aware of what you say literally to them and do whilst on the job. If you've got an opportunity I say depending on your circumstances, get your head down, bank the money and get the heck out as soon as you can. The words 'professional Mercenaries' come to mind. good luck!

Posted by: thetaofdreams 06/04/2010 at 14:52

I agree with the above. Some of the local teachers are keen to talk about new ideas like any professional. However, a few resent after many years of standing at the front of the class and lecturing the pupils been told to change. The politics and paperwork is the main problem with this post. It is a good opportunity to reflect on teaching and help the local staff willing to change. The level of standards do vary with the organisation. Look at previous posts.

Posted by: rosyanna 06/04/2010 at 15:26

Absolutely agree with the two posters above. I also worked on this project. However, I did my 2 years and left for another job which pays less. I think what I found most galling was the principal advisors who refused to have anything to do with the actual children [heaven forbid] but instead flitted in and out of schools [from their chauffeur driven cars], issue a few orders which were blatantly inappropriate [at least to those who were actually interacting with emirati staff and kids], then leave for the safety of the office.

(MOD edit for clean-up)

[Mekhong]

Thank you. This is very helpful.

[mathematist]

Mekhong, check your inbox for more info. Would be good to share ideas.