Job Discussion Forums

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

No pay slip? I wonder why...[/quote]

We haven�t received our pay statements because they are all sat in the main post office sorting centre and the people who work there are too �busy� to sort through them and send them out, I know because an NCO at the post office told me he�d been ordered not to waste time sending them on.

alba teacher · Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 5

hHold,
someone contacted me about a position at Uni of Nizwa. They were quite candid about how inept the admin is but said they are really nice people. The money is 1200RO a month, I've asked for more details. I'll keep you posted, likewise let me know if you hear about and decent prospects.

The job in Kuwait was for the MOD, Dr Yassa Aly was the contact.

7168Riyadh · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 149

hHold · Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Posts: 17

Alba teacher,

thanks for the tip. Wil look into Uni of Nizwa.
I was contacted by Dr ALy from the MOD in Kuwait too. Turned him down.
Will let you know if I come across an interesting position in the ME.

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

UofN has its issues... but if Kuwait MOD was my only other option, I'd take UofN. It is tolerable for a year or two if you keep your expectations low. Oman is such a beautiful place that it is worth a try. Cool

VS

alba teacher · Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 5

Cheers hHold.

You thought about Jordan? I'm applying for BC in Amman, will be stiff competition for position I'd say but worth it for a decent organisation.

alba teacher · Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 5

veiledsentiments, do you know of the issues at UNizwa? Have you worked there before?

I hear mixed reports about nearly every institution in Oman; it's so difficult to tell if you are signing up for a year of hell, or just mild irritation and general managerial incompetence.

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

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

Well, that story may or may not be true. I'd keep your eye on it though, because the pay slip is proof of payment, and therefore potentially incriminating. [/quote

Believe me it's true. I went to the post sorting office; they had 35 boxes of pay statements each containing 1000 slips. There are names are on the slips but not the departments so they don't get sent. Point is, working for RAFO can be very much a one way deal. When they want something - tests, reports, new courses, it's all rush rush rush, when the teachers need something in return it's all 'tomorrow' 'next week' 'Inshalla!' All very tiresome, which is a management strategy here, keep saying yes, do nothing and the expat will get tired of asking. Personally, I'm not one to just say 'bollocks' and let the issues ride, as many expats do, which is probably way so many things in RAFO EFL Depts all over Oman, from booking transport - getting decent accommodation - communication, poor pay�.the list goes on, are very poorly done.

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

...in all fairness it�s not all negative, not at all. The students are usually very motivated especially the NCOs and officer cadets. As a civilian officer you carry a bit of clout in the classroom, once you�ve had one or two noisy cadets gated for their first weekend and you�ll get no crap for the rest of the semester. If you act like an officer, the students respond better and in truth, with the young lads in basic training you need to be a bit tough. The cadets love role play, have fun learning and will get on with the work when left alone. They�ll argue over who will read aloud next, ask lots of questions and will stop you while walking around the base to chat in English and to show you what they�ve learnt.
This is a good posting for someone working on a MA or some other Magnus Opus as the teaching load is light, you finish at 1.30 pm. Or, if like me, needed a job to get back into the system after a year out. As you are know, it�s a lot less stressful job hunting from your work station or while sipping a cold beer in the mess bar than it is sat at the kitchen table back in the UK freezing your bits off and fretting over the next gas/electric bills and council tax.
The Omani English teachers have excellent English and very dedicated in the classroom. If you work with the officers who give technical or military training to the students, these guys are seriously on the ball, very professional, and make a big effort to assist and welcome the British teachers. There are three 3-4 week holidays a year, including Christmas; you get three free flights per contract.
I�ve rattled on enough. Feel free to PM me with any queries on accommodation, booze etc.