Job Discussion Forums

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

The "no poaching rule" has been in effect for many years. Normally one can (could?) transfer at the end of one's contract without problem, but not by resignation mid-contract. Getting the news out there may be just to try to save ZU from a deluge of teacher applications from those trying to get out the UAEU before expiration of their contract?

I'm wondering if this whole debacle is not a way to finally do away with Sheikh Zayed's unrealistic promise of a free university education for all citizens. (same as the promise of Nasser in Egypt which turned Cairo University in a monstrosity with classes of 1000+ that never actually meet) It will certainly save a great deal of money not having to house all of the UGRU students for years and years... until they either give up or finally slip into content courses. The teacher cost will merely have transferred to HCT which is from the same Ministry's budget, so nothing is saved there.

As for saying it is for the benefit of the students... Rolling Eyes

that is what they always say in every hare-brained management idea the world over in education. It is almost always a lie.

VS

mamasboy · Joined: 02 May 2010 Posts: 25 Location: Timbuktu

VS et al:
Remember this....Eflers are not considered part of the current Strategic plan in the Educational System invisaged for the future of the Country. Stop throwing blames at the Administrators of these Institutions for they're simplying implementing what is simply the initial stages of the larger Strategic Plan for Education System in the country. To update yourselves, try reading current issus of the CHRONICLE OF HIGHER ED.

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

Oh puulease... we've NEVER been part of the "PLAN"... we have been part of the reality. They have not and likely will not ever be able to actually fully implement the latest "PLAN." I don't expect to live long enough to see it as it depends completely on the success of the ADEC program which is thus far sputtering along... two steps forward... one step back... and if history is any guide in this part of the world... well... I've never been much of an optimist.

Right now they are just shuffling the deck chairs... and hoping that there are no political icebergs.

VS

celticbutterfly · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 41

Seen this article?
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100610/NATIONAL/706099820/0/SPORT

Interesting about the 'negotiations' between UGRU and HCT, considering that one of the unlucky UGRU-ers contacted HCT Fujiera, where they are being forceably relocated, to ask about housing, and Fujiera had no idea that UGRU teachers were coming....

Also very interesting to see less-than-happy-camper comments being printed in the local press....

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:44 pm Post subject:

Ahem...this is a "No Troll Feeding Zone"...

NCTBA

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

To whom are you referring?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:23 pm Post subject:

Certainly, not you...to the interloper who seems to come on jes' to pick fights! Lessee, the current post number is 17...

NCTBA

mamasboy · Joined: 02 May 2010 Posts: 25 Location: Timbuktu

NCTBA: Thank you for your special interest on my postings....keep counting! Rather than the 'one-liners' designed to EGG folks on, I provide real info folks can use. Please kindly read the article in the recent edition of "Chronicle of Higher Ed" on the CHANGING EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS IN ABU DHABI. Now, that's not picking fights is it?

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

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

Privatize the tertiary sector? All this article talks about is moving Foundations from UAEU to HCT, neither of which is private... not does it suggest that there will be an end any time soon to the need for a Foundations program... somewhere. I suppose it may be part of some grandiose plan... but...

I can't see any of these Gulf countries going to an "everyone has to pay tuition" system. The only way they can keep their citizens accepting of the royal families vacuuming up all the oil wealth is if they get free medical, education as far as they want, employment favoritism, plus plus plus.

While I can see them splitting off those who are basically not educable... and we have all had a few of those in our classrooms... I can't see them turning UAEU, HCT, and ZU into privatized money makers. And even if they did, they will still need TEFLers for the Foundation program that will be around for many year to come.

Of course, perhaps some of that grandiose plan is to finally switch to tertiary education in their own language. Laughing

VS

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

celticbutterfly · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 41

I am heartily in favor of locals paying their way for foundation classes, as that might be the only way to get them to study. The lack of motivation and general laziness created by the 'we give you everything for free' attitude of the rulers makes it hell to teach the foundation classes. It is getting worse as the level of academic achievement drops through this lack of motivation. Old student folders of work from even 5 years ago are far and away better than anything the current foundation students are producing. We have heard that the CEPA scores for the 2010/2011 foundations intake are even lower than the current bunch of no-hopers. These students are in no way ready to study at tertiary level, and most will be out within a year because they will only be at college for the coffee sessions. If daddy had to part with his hard-earned (?!) cash to pay for the little darling to attend college, there might be a bit more pressure to succeed. We all know how the locals loathe parting with their cash for no good reason!

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

While things may very well be worse now - just because of higher numbers and more of an opinion of what they "deserve" just for being Emirati, I must say that this was also a problem back in the early 90s in Oman... especially with the male students. The women were more willing to work hard to stay in their classes... even if their main goal was the socializing.

While this idea sounds very sensible to us... IMHO, I don't think it will happen any time soon - not if the UAE plans to remain a united country. Not until the day that the royal family of Abu Dhabi gives up 100% control of all oil revenues. This is part of the 'bribe' to keep them all as one country. As long as the free public education system doesn't provide a sufficient education in English, the locals will demand a free Foundations education in order to attend university.

Oman, which has only a fraction of the oil revenue per citizen, requires a relatively high exam score to get the free education at SQU. (plus students are required to use their education or repay the university... ie a teacher must teach... not just get married and have babies) But because so few people can afford tuition, the government has provided massive amounts of "scholarship" money for the low-level students to attend the private colleges. It will be many years before Omani families would be able to afford it on their own. And the citizenry is already getting a bit restive about the political system. (they are very jealous of the benefits Emiratis get) Education is a double-edged sword.

But the massive wealth coming into the Emirates will make it difficult to impose a system similar. It will need to be done very slowly.

VS