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Turbster
Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 67
Location: UK
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 Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Maybe this thread encapsulates the situation that exists throughout the Middle East, in the education sector. So maybe we should be asking ourselves whether our expectations in respect of culture and academic reality are sufficiently modified to meet an education system that is very, very young. Have we prepared for this in a cultural sense? Did we know what we were coming to?
A great deal of what has been discussed here is related less to what happens here, than how we deal with what happens here! Maturity and flexibility are most necessary, and may often be lacking. I am fortunate to have had previous ME experience, but it is very different from Chicago or Manchester.
The Middle East may be a playground for the rich and famous, but as educators it is far from a playground. I would suggest that if you can knuckle down, and work hard, without 'chips on shoulders' the ME, and particularly Oman, can be an extremely worthwhile teaching experience, and life.
Personally, although frustrations are part of the package, I LOVE Oman, and my work at UNIZWA. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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I completely agree Turbster... many of us here have been saying versions of that for years.
VS |
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eha
Joined: 26 May 2005
Posts: 355
Location: ME
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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'A great deal of what has been discussed here is related less to what happens here, than how we deal with what happens here! Maturity and flexibility are most necessary, and may often be lacking'
Well, maturity and flexibility are most necessary anywhere; but it's the attempt to hang onto one's own sense of integrity that causes many of the problems. That, and well, how much flexibility does it take to deal with the slings and arrows of outrageous managerialism, disloyal and sometimes equally outrageous colleague attitudes and behaviour, and a 'blame-the-victim' culture? Is the cut-off point only to be when any /all of the above, affects oneself? |
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happyroofus
Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Turbster wrote: |
It seems to me Rufus, that you are far from happy! I am at UON, and I have had time to reflect upon your 'opening salvo', and have some observations of my own.
You are obviously a UON teacher, who has strong feelings about the changes to your lifestyle, however it would seem to me that you would be better off to deal directly with your line manager (coordinator), than to rush into print on a public forum. Your statements do you little credit given their veracity. That said, I can respond to all of your numbered points, for the benefit of yourself, as well as any intending future faculty
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1. The 6pm finish is currently restricted to a very small proportion of the teaching staff, none on more than two days as I understand it.
2. Teacher cover will not be deducted from office hours, which are intended for student service and support. Overtime will be paid for teacher cover. This was made clear at Level Meetings.
3. Whimsical is not a term to be associated with 'non-renewal' letters.
4. The term 'pure incompetancy' is not only spelled wrong, it is hugely derogatory of a Foundation Board, and it's individual members, in place for less than 3 weeks. Harsh at least, vindictive at worst.
5. Without reference to specific cases, student support, and the student experience, is what the new direction is all about, and in my experience, no faculty member, or student has been denied support or assistance.
As for UON being 'gone to hell', I believe the opposite is true, and have personally heard much more positive reaction to changes than Rufus would have us believe.
Yes, it is all a bit messy at the minute, but be patient.
Yes, some have had their idyllic existence challenged, however change always affects someone.
Positive reactors,..... move on, negative reactors,..... move on out! |
All I can say is that I'm glad I got the debate rolling on this. I don't really care what you think (regardless of typos). This is a forum so both the positive and the negative have equal right to be expressed in fair measure.
In response to some of your points (some of which I found valid):
1. As for dealing directly with coordinators as you suggested - they are just the messengers in this present UoN mess and unfortunately some of them will be burnt in the long run. I know one in particular who is already very unhappy there. The Director ultimately remains responsible and aloof to all. Bottom line, it is the students themselves who have already driven a revision of the changes that have been "attempted" to date. Please also note that the old A-B shift system is now about to be re-imposed.
2. "Whimsical" is exactly the word to be used in reference to how and why those non-renewal letters were handed out by the present Director. I personally know some of the people who were affected and believe me, it was not because they were all the worst of the bunch.
3. The Foundation board is not in place "3 weeks" - it's been around for a lot longer than that. The new Director in fact has been at UoN since September 2009. It's only the new co-ordinators who have been in place 3 weeks or so.
Anyway, I'm not going to bother adding anything more to this debate. Suffice to say, the point's been made. |
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happyroofus
Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Duffy wrote: |
Beast,
I think you should have added this copy of the site disclaimer which can be found at the bottom of the home page, this is it :
I have underlined most interesting part, (for me at least).
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| All reviews and review comments are not the opinions of ESL List, but of users of this site. ESL List provides an open review system that allows anyone to participate. As with any review site, we are unable to verify the accuracy of someone's opinion. We reserve the right to reject any review we deem inappropriate or off-topic. As with ESL Blacklist (our former site), we will not remove a review unless the reviewer has made a verifiable requested such. We encourage locations (schools, academies, universities, etc.) to claim their location and submit official responses to reviews. Please read Our Goals or contact us at [email protected] should you have any additional questions, comments or suggestions. |
It would seem to me at least, that this was also written by Mr happyrufus ( who really does not seem to be all that happy!) 
Incidentally that site was formerly called "ESL Blacklist", says it all I think.
Duffy  |
Wish I had written it. Guess there are a few of us out there after all. |
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happyroofus
Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: Non-Renewal Letters |
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| Beast wrote: |
Some in this thread have indicated they are at U of Nizwa and seem to champion the Non-Renewal letters. I did have some questions about the Non-Renewal letters.
Were these teachers ever observed in class?
Were they give any warning about their classroom teaching methods, etc.?
If they went through the process and still failed to improve, then they should not be renewed. If they were not given the letter of Renewal for no stated reason except a Gang of Roving Haters who profess, "I don't like her/him because they are not like me," or any other mindless reason.... then well... it's distasteful at best. These are people's lives you are dealing with and they should not be let go simply at the behest of the Gang of Haters.
In most Universities there are processes and procedures that are supposed to be followed and I assume these same things are in effect at The University of Nizwa. Or, maybe they are ignored because the cost of fighting it in court is prohibitive.
So, current employees and recently departed..... were these guidelines followed? |
1. No those teachers were never given any warning, ever.
2. Some were observed, but not all. (incredibly)
3. The cost of fighting anything in an Omani labor court is both expensive and pointless. The UoN recently went to whole way with a faculty lecturer who had been "non-renewed" and he was basically forced to give it up and move his wife and children out of the country asap.
I didn't want to respond any further on this thread, but the reason why I started to get upset about UoN was precisely because of those non-renewals. Some were given out to colleagues of mine. One has a family to support and never ever found out "why" he got let go (even though he always got solid feedback from the students).
My whole point about starting this thread was to act as a warning or at the very least a think-before-you-jump. I've always liked UoN, but it's just simply not the same any longer and has lost a lot of its old principles that made it such an attractive place to work. Yes, I still work there, but right now I have to and basically hoping that things change for the better. |
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happyroofus
Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: But what did these teachers do??? |
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| Beast wrote: |
The question still has not been answered. What did these teachers do to not be renewed?
3. Whimsical is not a term to be associated with 'non-renewal' letters
This tells this thread nothing
And it does sound as if a few more non-renewal letters should go to the whingers
But, were they competent teachers?
Hopefully, all of those that are spending most of their time wandering about pissing and moaning can just move on to somewhere else and let those that want to actually teach get on with it.
How do you know they weren't looking out for what was best for the students? How can you be so sure that what the University is doing or has done is just plain nuts and makes no sense at all.
It's so easy to say, "They didn't get renewed so they must be Bad Teachers." Just maybe it's the Cheering Crowd in the Coliseum that is the problem.
We are still waiting to hear what these teachers did that was so bad. Does anybody know or care as long as it is somebody else? |
I just answered most of what you mentioned.
I agree with you: most of it is a case of people not caring so long as it's not them. Personally I care about most of my colleagues and what happens to them. |
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Duffy
Joined: 29 Oct 2005
Posts: 449
Location: Oman
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:18 am Post subject: |
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Happyroofus,
| Quote: |
| My whole point about starting this thread was to act as a warning or at the very least a think-before-you-jump. I've always liked UoN, but it's just simply not the same any longer and has lost a lot of its old principles that made it such an attractive place to work. Yes, I still work there, but right now I have to and basically hoping that things change for the better. |
Really??
You cannot or will not accept change in any way or form. Why do things have to remain the same? why cannot you accept that the NoU is trying to comply with the OAC and try to help rather than hinder with these negative posts?
Just because you don't like it anymore,that does not give you the right to tell people not to come here.
| Quote: |
| it is the students themselves who have already driven a revision of the changes that have been "attempted" to date. Please also note that the old A-B shift system is now about to be re-imposed. |
Rubbish!! The timetables had to be changed to accomodate the late arrival of 200+ scholarship students and there is NO A/Bshift system as you would have found out if you were in the Uni on Wednesday afternoon. You and those like you seemingly want the coordinators to fail . The constant whinging and complaining being made by the same old crew would be enough to wear anyone down except that these folks are made of sterner stuff than you. They will be there long after you and the other malcontents have left.
Also, the reason you and others are heard moaning on about lack of overtime is because the "old timers" used to have their own routine whereby one teacher would call in "sick" and the other would cover the class thereby gaining overtime, then that teacher would oblige the other by doing the same thing. You really think that Director and Assistant Director didn't know what was going on? If you want overtime now you will have to do it in the evenings in your own time, as it should be real "overtime".
The old saying still rings true. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". That goes for all the selfish and loudmouthed whinging teachers in UoN.
Duffy  |
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happyroofus
Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:52 am Post subject: |
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| Duffy wrote: |
Happyroofus,
| Quote: |
| My whole point about starting this thread was to act as a warning or at the very least a think-before-you-jump. I've always liked UoN, but it's just simply not the same any longer and has lost a lot of its old principles that made it such an attractive place to work. Yes, I still work there, but right now I have to and basically hoping that things change for the better. |
Really??
You cannot or will not accept change in any way or form. Why do things have to remain the same? why cannot you accept that the NoU is trying to comply with the OAC and try to help rather than hinder with these negative posts?
Just because you don't like it anymore,that does not give you the right to tell people not to come here.
| Quote: |
| it is the students themselves who have already driven a revision of the changes that have been "attempted" to date. Please also note that the old A-B shift system is now about to be re-imposed. |
Rubbish!! The timetables had to be changed to accomodate the late arrival of 200+ scholarship students and there is NO A/Bshift system as you would have found out if you were in the Uni on Wednesday afternoon. You and those like you seemingly want the coordinators to fail . The constant whinging and complaining being made by the same old crew would be enough to wear anyone down except that these folks are made of sterner stuff than you. They will be there long after you and the other malcontents have left.
Also, the reason you and others are heard moaning on about lack of overtime is because the "old timers" used to have their own routine whereby one teacher would call in "sick" and the other would cover the class thereby gaining overtime, then that teacher would oblige the other by doing the same thing. You really think that Director and Assistant Director didn't know what was going on? If you want overtime now you will have to do it in the evenings in your own time, as it should be real "overtime".
The old saying still rings true. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". That goes for all the selfish and loudmouthed whinging teachers in UoN.
Duffy |
Wow - "selfish and loud-mouthed"??
Dear Duffy,
I'm not going to lower myself to name-calling others just because I disagree with them. Listen "Duffy". You're new to UoN and to be honest your knowledge of previous UoN is limited and misinformed. Instructors did not take a "sick" day deliberately so that one of their pals would then have cover et visa versa. Whoever told you that really was not correct at all. In addition, I know you are personally biased in favor of the present "regime" due to your current personal connections there. Finally, there is OT available in other areas such as TOEFL proctoring, and class cover is now again available as on OT option. The present Director tried to do away with most of the OT options only to find that they were there for a very good reason.
Stop slinging stones at others with whom you disagree. |
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March Hare
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 21
Location: S. Korea
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:57 am Post subject: |
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| Duffy wrote: |
The old saying still rings true. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". That goes for all the selfish and loudmouthed whinging teachers in UoN.
Duffy |
These insults are uncalled for. There are many legitimate and serious reasons for complaint at U of N, and in the face of that it's appalling to tell people to simply shut up or get out. What arrogance. |
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Turbster
Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 67
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:27 am Post subject: |
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Tit for tat can go on forever, so, for now just a few more observations.
To Happyroofus,
Okay, so you are not happy! Have you discussed the situation positively with your supervisors, or will you persist in posting emotive, and factually incorrect information on this website? Be positive, and while it is positive to promote discussion and resolution, it is equally negative to foment unrest and disharmony. It seems you Are passionate, however passion, without reason, is wasted.
The faculty, given time, will make their own decisions about the impact of change, and their place within that changing scenario. Some will go, because they don't like it, many will stay because they do!
My understanding is that the three level supervisors were offered positions based on their management, teaching, and Quality Assurance experiences. My experience is that they far exceed your description.
I believe the coordinators have driven the implementation of the new schedules due to their concerns over a number of aspects involving the initial schedules.
The Foundation Institute of The University of Nizwa is indeed a new entity, which was created by the Board of Management of Unizwa during September 2010. The Board of the Foundation Institute held it's inaugural meeting late that month.
Finally. Nobody HAS to be at Unizwa. Personally, I would prefer to work with people who WANT to be here.
To Duffy,
Interesting comments about the old 'sick day' scam. Is it fraud? Maybe some individuals are feeling the pinch of the rumoured 200-300Rials less they get as a consequence of the 'rip-off' being leaked. Anywhere else in the world you could be liable to criminal charges, dismissal, or face reimbursement. Now that wouldn't be fair.........or right.........would it!
Thankfully, I was never involved.............so I don't have to worry, or lose sleep, over it! |
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Beast
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:45 am Post subject: Is this REALLY True? |
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To those that are at the University of Nizwa....
Is it really true that they are on their 5th schedule for the fall term and they are letting students enter the program who have already missed 25% of the term? Does this extend to the Academic programs where students would only have to go three years of a four year program? Wow! That's planning.
Couldn't they just extend it a little more and have students pay for four years in advance and then give them their diplomas in a couple of weeks. It would sure save on electricity costs.
What was the A and B shift system and what was so bad about that? It seems people were happy with it. Why is the current system better and how does it differ?
From this thread it appears to shake out as such..
1. The University of Nizwa had a shift system that worked and everybody liked it.
2. The terms generally started on time and students generally had a good rapport with the teachers.
3. You had teachers who were happy working and living in the Nizwa area. They have probably seen many places which were less than stellar. It's so hard to find a place that is fun to work and it is also hard finding a school in the Middle East where you looked forward to going to work everyday. I'm not sure why a school would want to get rid of and drive off happy workers.
4. There is a gang of Roving Haters running around who are unhappy with their lives and they feel it is their mission to completely disrupt a good place to work and stock it with a cadre of like minded people who are just as unhappy.
5. People who have little experience have no respect for people who have 10-15-20 or 30 years experience.
6. There is no system of observations and advisement.
7. Unqualified people are making management and planning decisions in the English Program.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......... Seems a little suspicious. |
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isabel
Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 510
Location: God's green earth
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......... Seems a little suspicious. |
What do you suspect?
I think to say that there was a conspiracy regarding overtime coverage assumes a higher level of planning that I have heard happens there.
Sick time has been badly abused. Overtime was hoarded, with the aid of the previous assistant director, by a few instructors (old timers) who also had dibs on the best classes with the fewest students and best schedules. Some instructors, upon arriving last fall, were told that that was the way things were- don't count on overtime, B shift schedules (the plum) and higher level classes for a very long time- these belonged to those with "seniority".
The real problem seems to be that there were (are?) those there who have resisted change, and the new management last year was ill-equiped to deal with the problem faculty. Chaos ensued, with the mad truly in charge of the asylum. I hear that this year the efforts to straighten things out are not going so well, and the 200 (I've heard as high as 400) new students tossed in the mix at the last minute set ablaze a combustible situation.
I'm hoping things get straightened out. It is a nice town, the uni hasn't been that bad, and Oman is fantastic. Let us hope this is just growing pains and the the dross will be cleared out and the professionals can get on with the job. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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| isabel wrote: |
| The real problem seems to be that there were (are?) those there who have resisted change, and the new management last year was ill-equiped to deal with the problem faculty. Chaos ensued, with the mad truly in charge of the asylum. I hear that this year the efforts to straighten things out are not going so well, and the 200 (I've heard as high as 400) new students tossed in the mix at the last minute set ablaze a combustible situation. |
The main reason that there are still problems is the high number of new people and new positions (made to attempt to clean up the mess from last year). I too have heard that those who caused the problems last year are continuing to try to wreck things this year. Not too mention that I don't think I taught at any Gulf university (even some of the best) that I didn't have at least 3 different schedules in the first weeks even when there isn't a surprise influx of students.
As to allowing 200-400 new students join 2-3 weeks into the semester... if the government sends them, you take them... seriously Beast... do you think that they had any choice? Are you a newbie in the Gulf?
It is a shame that the surprise influx of students has meant that they can't ax some of these troublemakers right now rather than waiting and not renew them.
VS |
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Beast
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:45 pm Post subject: The Dross |
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So, you don't like them and you probably have never observed their class or even had a civil or academic conversation with the "dross." Simply not liking someone does not provide you the authority to decide who should stay and who should go. Can you provide some concrete examples of classroom activities and treatment of students that would warrant giving you misguided permission to decide who should be fired?
Are you angry because they got a good schedule and you didn't? "I'm miserable so let's make everyone miserable." That anger is nothing more than professional and/or personal jealousy. Campaigning for or advocating their dismissal is nothing short of treachery.
Whether someone is a Post Menopausal Cow, Crotchety old #art, John Studley, Jr. or Sally the Sleeper has no bearing on their professionalism in the classroom. You have to allow people to have their own personality and not try to impose your shortcomings on them.
It seems the more experienced teachers understand from their travels, etc. that people are not going to be and do what you want them to be and do. This diminished ethnocentrism makes for a more relaxed and happy teacher. But, according to some people, being happy and relaxed is a bad thing. Nothing turns a class into chaos faster than the quote, "That's not the way we do it in XXXXXX." This implies that they are bad because they don't believe as you do. Allow people to be who they are and not drag them into a codependent relationship where you want them to change their life and habits so YOU won't get mad and try to get them fired.
Don't be so quick to attempt to destroy other peoples lives because you can't relate to them. |
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