Job Discussion Forums

[taurus_oman]

Today, a friend of mine told me their college is under constant surveillance. They had observers from the ministry without prior notice to teachers and many of the teaching staff are trying to jump out of frying pan -for good or bad.
Tomorrow, there is going to be another observation by the ministry's delegate. It seems therer is a general discontent at many -if not all- colleges. As for my college, close to 20 per cent, including myself, decided to leave. The Dean of one of the colleges admitted monitoring teaching staff -real monitoring with cameras and CCTV system. He also admitted that there are cameras to see if the staff are behaving properly and leaving the campus during business hours. As we witnessed they already implemented a new policy to deduct hours if you leave the campus on any grounds -say for banking, visa or any other official or unofficial errands.
My humble suggestion for next year, if you intend to take position at one of the Colleges of Technology in Oman, think twice, at least.

[windstar]

That's not a surprise. They always do it. They know that TEFLers are easily replaceable.

[balqis]

yet read the entries on Dhofar University regarding observation; most ESL teachers there keep asking for it;

[windstar]

I think main difference between Dhofar University and the Colleges of Technology is that after a series of observations, teaching member is most probably let go without any reasonable grounds. For them, they fulfill their requirement if or when a higher authority inspects their conducts. This way, they will be cleared. Dirty games...

[taurus_oman]

In our case, I heard a few of the outspoken teachers were let go. And, everybody feels the same. It is a pain in the neck to get along with the admin people. Students are nice and kind on the contrary.

[windstar]

I mentioned on another thread that the colleges of technology decided to fire its teachers too. At least one i know of who was let go because he did not get along with the hod. Lets see what comes next.

[boundforsaudi]

"real monitoring with cameras and CCTV system"

Which colleges have these, and exactly where are they located?

[Duffy]

BFS,

Since you left us here in Salalah, the whole of the LRC has been covered with domed CCTV cameras. There are two in each Lab, including the students free access ones. Every angle of the corridors are covered. There is even a camera above the library checkout desk to stop "pilfering".

Of course we have been told "it is not to watch the teachers but the students". Actually I tend not to notice them now and the students were very agitated at first but even they seemed to forget they were there.

Recently we had the smoke alarm systems upgraded, each office had a new detector fitted on the ceiling and it was amazing just how many teachers and studens thought they were cameras, (some teachers still do)!!

Duffy

[boundforsaudi]

Anybody have the email addy and contact name for applying directly to the ministry of labor for a job with the colleges of tech?

[windstar]

you can contact ken shephard from the ministry of manpower (not labour). I dont know his email. But unless you are desperate, i would not suggest you apply. Muscat, as everybody says, is horrible, musanaa is full of arrogance, shinas lacks of staff and overcrowded students etc. You will be strictly applying "their" delivery plan. No professionalism in teaching, no suggestions can be interpreted as consctructive by admin people. At our college a few outspoken people are expecting termination any time soon, just because they wanted "books, supplementary materials for students and observation by either peer teachers or qualified staff". Yes, our college is under contant surveillance as well.

[rocketchild]

from what i can tell the cameras are there because weird shit goes on between a lot of the students themselves.

sexual, threatening, video--ing each other with their mobiles,

the cameras are to watch the students

they don't bother me at all. for the students sake, the weaker ones anyhow, i feel happy that their safety is being looked out for.

[sylva]

Hello,

I worked for this 'company' CECN and thought they would be good...WRONG...

They never took care of their employees, never checked the houses, I even came for my first day to a dirty apartment with dirty sheets!

They deduct 100 Riyal for utilities...sure, I left the college mid July 2007. And have been following up on them to pay me back the 100 Riyal becasue I have all my bills paid off....and they have copies of all the paid bills. I even sent them to the office in Dubai!!!

Finally they said well we will pay you 75 Riyal because you owed!!! for whatever...I said OK...Now actually today I called Mr. Eric H (MOD edit) the Head of the recruiter a Canadian (I am ashamed to say), and he tells me "we cannot do anything you have to deal witht he office in Dubai" what a shameless man???

I am not surprised they lost a contract, and I wouldn't be surprised if they won't be any longer in business sooooon...INSHALLAH as they say here in OMAN.

I shall tell you what happens after Wednesday, as I told him I am coming to the office....so....the saga will continue.

Am not sure why people are dishonest???? where is all this money going to someone's pocket...I wonder who???

Sylva

[windstar]

It is strange but a teacher, ME, told me the same story that CECNE owed him 100 rials but not paid it.

[kowhai]

It is possible to find weak hods in our own countries- good reason to leave

[windstar]

CECN has not paid me the last month's salary. Still waiting. They do not take my calls or answer my emails. Just be cautious when you decide to take a job with CECN. Somebody accused me, via PM, that I did not pay my bills that is why CECN has the right to hold my salary, But it is not the case because I have got all of my clearance from all companies and the college, we settled the account with their real estate agent M. in Muscat. Their accountant is in Dubai, which provides a kind of protection against any legal action in Oman.