Job Discussion Forums

[boysfromtheblackstuff]

I've just read Oreally's post of yesterday and wish to confirm everything said. However, I do think they are being a bit kind....

For the good points:


1.A respectable salary - Yes, I agree to that

2.Health Insurance - Yes, this is pretty good, however, when it is taken into consideration that even a day off sick requires a visit to the Hospital/Doctor, to avoid an 'unauthorised absence' (2 unauthorised absences in a year = instant dismissal) - it is the least they could do.

3.Allowing some teachers to transfer to other jobs - not sure about this one, Bell/Obeikan have one other small project, but the desirability of employment on that one is questionnable, as to other jobs in KSA, forget it; Obeikan refuse to provide letters of no objection.

4.A laptop is provided - with no software, which the teacher has to buy.

5.A vast and abundant resource room - some useful books, but in terms of technological resources, teachers have to buy their own printers and often there are no working photocopiers, if they are working, teachers are not allowed to use them, and often there are paper shortages.

6.Interactive smart board and e-podium in all classrooms - that sometimes work. Indeed the emphasis KSU puts on technology, I think they would like to see all classes done by .ppt - whatever the educational value.


7.Across the street from a supermarket - true for the male campus, but female teachers are not allowed off the campus, unless permission is granted in advance by the (male) chair of the whole PYP program.

8.Experience in a dynamic environment - yes, one needs to be able to survive in a state of constant anxiety as to what is going to be thrown at you next.

9.Room for Professional Development - Yes, Bell do try hard on this. Not always successfully.

10.Reasonable class size - if you think 35 is reasonable.

Cheers
BftBS

[stonecold]

i read oreally's discussion about KSu and it was dead on balls accurate to quote a line from "my cousin Vinny". I must say so because i was one of the few and the proud who was fired for calling the management liars after they cancelled our spring holiday abruptly. All was not lost since i did receive a release from obeikan and landed a job in jeddah. I prefer jeddah to riyadh as far as cities go, and i think KSU needs to do some soul searching if they want to live up to their self proclaimed billing as the top university in saudi!

[stonecold]

Saudi law doesnt require no objection letters anymore but they do require a letter of release(same thing really). I got one after being fired. but i've heard that those who complete their contract and dont renew are refused the release(go figure). its bizarre really. i was able to take advantage of the professional development before i was sacked though. I took the Language awareness course with international house and completed it. I had to pay a portion of the tuition(about 700 riyals) which they deducted from my pay) it was a good course and very useful.

obeikan does some good things really. One i took for granted was the fact that they put you up in a furnished apartment when you arrive and give you a moenth to find a place of your own is really great. here in jeddah I received no such thing. I was granted 1000 riyals to find a temporary place then i was on my own. A bit stressful really considering I arrived at the beginning of ramadan and hotel and furnished apt prices double.

we were generally paid on time, but i agree with the rest of what "boys from...." said

[veiledsentiments]

boysfromtheblackstuff.

Why not change the title of this thread to something that mentions the employer? When people are searching for information, they tend to read the threads that give them some help as to the topic. I doubt many people are searching for threads that mention a specific poster.

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I'm still tryin' ta figure out why the unmentionable happened to the thread!

NCTBA

[Cleopatra]

[stonecold]

[Cleopatra]

[stonecold]

talk with fouad al zahrani at Obeikan education between exit 11 and 12. he was the one who told me NOC are no longer required. My letter did receive was a letter of release stating that i completed my contract and am free to work elsewhere. My new employer suggested getting the chamber to notarize the certificate . the cost was negligible maybe 30 riyals.

[Cleopatra]

[lazycomputerkids]

When I entered the Kingdom this past year, the "rules" had recently changed for NOCs. NOCs were not required of US citizens but still a requisite for UK/Canadians-- affirming Cleo's interpretation. The problem was/is...various companies (I don't know about universities) were still asking for them, unaware of the change-- affirming a different interpretation.

I had to have papers notarized to obtain a driver's license in the Kingdom, which, as everyone knows, forbids women to drive.

[veiledsentiments]

[lazycomputerkids]

[johnslat]

Dear Cleopatra,

"My letter did receive was a letter of release stating that i completed my contract and am free to work elsewhere.


As I said above, that letter to all extents and purposes is an NOC."

It may be only a question of wording, but I know the IPA would provide a letter (called a Letter of Completion,) but would never give a Letter of No Objection (well, almost never - if the place that wants you has enough wasta, anything's possible. But I knew of only one person who actually got a Letter of No Objection from the IPA in all my time there.)

What I wonder is if this "Letter of Release" is the same as the "Letter of Completion," which was definitely NOT the same as an NOC.

Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]