Job Discussion Forums

[rayman]

I've been offered a job at a school in Abu Dhabi. Being unaware of the living costs and the competition in the region, I'm unsure as to how good it may be. I will be travelling with my wife and school aged son.

The package includes;

* US$48000/year
* Free Housing
* US$1000 moving allowance
* US$4000 furniture allowance
* Airfares
* Medical
* 50% of schooling costs for child in international school


How does this compare to to other schools in Abu Dhabi ? I'm a little concerned about the dependent education not being free.

Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

You have told us nothing about your credentials or the particular job, so we can't answer your question.

But I can tell you that no expats get free education... unless you have been hired by an International School where your kids can attend. For the vast majority of teachers who are a member on this board... EFL teachers... school fees are very expensive and usually have to be supplemented by the teachers because their allowances don't cover the full costs.

VS

[rayman]

Sorry, I'm a qualified elementary teacher with a MEd and starting a Doctorate of Education.

It is in fact an international school that's offered the position. Although from the limited research I've done on other international schools in the region, most also only offer 25-50% discount for dependents education. I was a little concerned with this aspect as most international schools here in Asia provide free education for at least 1 child and often 2.

Cheers

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[elmoro]

that seems like a fair enough deal for abu dhabi. the most important thing is actually the free housing (as long as you like the house that is). 50% is a good start for the education allowance. depending on your lifestyle, the furniture allowance might not cover everything you need, but there will be some good sales if you arrive at the beginning of the school year.

without knowing the name of the school, i can only give some general information. judging from the package (and i could be wrong), this international school might be an enjoyable experience. there are international schools managed by western admin and with majority western students. i have heard very little complaints about these schools and they are generally hard to get into because the turnover is low. there are international schools managed by arabs and with majority arab expat students from both western and arab nations. dealing with admin be a challenge sometimes in these schools but if you are professional and dedicated, they will leave you to just teach. dealing with the students in both types of schools is just as challenging as dealing with students in a us school. i taught two years at an international school of the second type, and it was the best two years of my experience here. i only left because the package wasn't enough.

in retrospect, money has not proven to be everything. if an international school offered me a package like yours, i would pass over every esl offer and never look back. of course, that does depend on the specific school i must admit.

enjoy,

elmoro

THE HORROR, THE HORROR!

[rayman]

Thanks for the replies. I sent you a PM elmoro regarding the school.

I'm aware of the schooling for dependents being standard practice elsewhere in international schools NCSTBA. A Search Associates membership gives online access to that information for 300+ international schools. So I won't need to quote you on this occasion, but cheers.

I have noticed the jobs for teaching in public schools which can be applied for through the TeachAnywhere site. The package seems pretty similar to the one I have been offered. However, there is no mention of schooling for dependents or an education allowance. Am I right in assuming employees under this scheme would need to foot the entire schooling bill for their children? If so, I'd be interested to hear the experience of anyone actually doing this. It seems they cover flight for up to 3 dependents, so I assume it must be 'doable'? But with the cost of international school tuition, I struggle to comprehend how.

Cheers

[Darsky]

I'm an 'LT' in the public schools, hired through teachaway.

I can confirm that there is no allowance for schools for your kids. The families who have made it work either have both parents working and only one kid in school, or they homeschool their kids. Nannys are cheap, so if your kids are very young it's no problem. Otherwise it's just too expensive to send your kids to school.

Also you are much more likely to have a professional teaching environment at a private school. The public schools are hit and miss, but mostly miss from what I hear (although my school is excellent)

[Insubordination]

Hmm Misleading thread title.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Like Darsky said about the schooling allowance...there ain't any. Generally speaking, ADEC are looking for young go-getters who have no difficulties being run to a frazzle chasing that God-Almighty dollar...

NCTBA

[adorabilly]

[veiledsentiments]

Just like everything in the Gulf employment package, education allowances haven't kept up with the tuition increases for the vast majority of the teachers. If you have more than one kid, you will be supplementing.

I have had friends who had to put their 2+ kids into the cheaper Indian or Filipino schools because of the too small education allowance - even from top tier university jobs. They couldn't afford the best American or British based schools. This is a Gulf wide problem, not just the UAE.

But... since or OP's not university level... it is moot. I find it surprising that if you are teaching in any K-12 school that teacher's kids can't attend for free.

VS