Job Discussion Forums

young_whippersnapper · Joined: 21 Jul 2013 Posts: 19

I have heard from family and family friends who have taught in the Middle East that one of the biggest problems teachers have to face is academic dishonesty, especially in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Worse, I have heard that the school administration is often complicit in this by treating it with a slap on the wrist.

Is this true? If so, is this still a problem? I have heard this from people who taught in the Middle East about 15-20 years ago, so I'm not quite sure of how valid these claims are.

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

it depends what you mean by "academic dishonesty" and which culture you use to interpret the behaviour. In many institutions students cannot fail. As a result, the biggest issue is not dishonesty but discipline because many students know they cannot fail and, as a result, feel free to disrupt classes that, let's face it, are probably meaningless for them.

It is very hard for an Arab brother not to 'help' an Arab brother who needs to 'pass' a test. In fact, it may well be regarded as dishonest to ignore his whispered cries from the desk behind under the pretense of not hearing him.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In the Middle East it is a different game with different rules. Play by those rules and collect your tax-free pay-packet monthly.

DLIguy · Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:01 pm Post subject:

MOD EDIT

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=82922

If you post a similar comment again, you will be permanently banned along with your IPs.

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

"Keep your mouth shut and put your money in the bank."

Advice from a "good ole boy " QA officer at Bell Helicopter back in Iran in 1976.

Words of wisdom that served me well in a 32 year career in the ME.

It's their country and that's the way they want it. You won't change it. If you can't accept it you're better off somewhere else.