Job Discussion Forums

[ebooktrial0001]

Hi Everyone,

I've spoken to a girl I might seriously consider marrying. Her whole life, she has wanted to be a teacher for children; but, she must stay with her family in her hometown (in Tunisia) and constantly works at the family's small store in that town.

As a thought experiment, supposing she and I got married, and I wanted to help her start up a kindergarten, what would I need? Again, this is more of a thought experiment than a concrete reality; but, I'm just curious as to what these people need to get started on their own.

I'm guessing I would need at least the following:

- Leasing a classroom with a separate office; after all, all those administrative and paper grading. Of course, utilities are needed.
- Enough chairs and desks for all students and one for teacher and office
- A computer and printer in the office, with lots of paper
- A book curriculum (English File, SpeakOut, etc. for English or another curriculum for French or Arabic for native speakers)
- Blackboard + 20 markers and erasers
- Spare notebook paper, pencils, and pens

Unlike places like South Korea, form has very little meaning; it's pure substance and word of mouth that help schools become successful.

I'm guessing $2000 USD would be enough to get these started in these small towns in Tunisia (where a decent two bedroom apartment costs $400 a month).

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[nomad soul]

What would you need? How about starting with the appropriate Tunisian ministry that handles business start ups.

But frankly, this idea should stay a dream---forgotten once you truly wake up.

[caliph]

ebooktrial0001:

Getting gov't authorization may be the hardest part, Arab bureaucracy being what it is. Probably just avoid that and be prepared to baksheesh you way.

Otherwise, I'd say you pretty much have the essentials covered.

Young and in love, why not pursue a dream.

[ExpatLuke]

I don't know anything about Tunisia, but in SE Asia all the red tape needed to get through to start a business is a nightmare. Bribes, donations, fees... You'll need a truck load of money just to get it off the ground.

Most Vietnamese go the illegal route and run extra classes out of their homes. It can come back to bite you though, as you'll have to pay off the police if they come knocking.

[suphanburi]

I just built a 24 classroom KG in Thailand. It opened in May of 2013.

The building cost was about 30 million baht.
The material (post construction) was an additional 20 million baht to finish and equip it.

We added an additional 9 classrooms this year for an additional 10 million baht.

I currently have ~650 kids in KG and have an annual operational budget of about 17 million baht.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm77/ttompatz/frontdoorkg.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm77/ttompatz/openday1.jpg

.

[MuscatGary]

I'm guessing that the premises will also need toilets and a kitchen or at least somewhere to store food and drink. In addition you need specialist local advice about such issues as insurance for the kids. Also if the kids are going to be there all day you will need an activity area.

Does your lady have the qualifications to run such an enterprise?

[Shroob]

[Janiny]

I also know that in Tunisia one cannot just become a teacher. There are rigorous gov't exams and something like .006 % are accepted. Yes, it seems ridiculous to have such high standards that most of the people who are willing to teach cannot ever do so, but there you are. Hence, a kneejerk reaction to the question: what's you dream job? posed to your average Tunisian, especially a young one, especially a lady one is "Teacher!"

Your friend no doubt works hard in the family store in a dull as dirt little town on the edge of the Sahara*. She has heard how teachers are highly respected and get weeks and weeks off every year. So what else is going to be her dream job? Firewoman? Astronaut? Supermodel?

By the way, do you know Luke's home planet Tatooine is a real place and in Tunisia?** I used to think George Lucas imaginatively thought up the name for the vast desert world, but no. While it is widely known that the original location shooting for Tatooine was done in Tunisia, few realize they found the location's name evocative enough to adopt it as well for the name of the whole Star Wars planet. While we're on the subject, Monty Python's Life of Brian was also shot in Tunisia, in a bland little town cal Monastir.

*This is no slight on your girl friend's hometown. Even Tunis, the freakin' capital can be similarly described.

** A fact so obscure that even an Internet search does not yield it up, but I know the truth. Seacrh 'Tunisian provinces/governates and you will find Tataouine Governorate (Arabic: ولاية تطاوين‎ Wilāyat Taṭāwīn) - C'est Francais!

[MotherF]

When you mentioned English File / Speak Out I got confused, you want to open a kindergarten for her or a language school for you?

A kindergarten probably is subject to more regulations than a language school.

Have you been to this place? I think that's the first step, plan a trip to gather as much information and ideas as possible. Talk about your ideas with as many different locals as possible, get their opinions and reactions, you might even find potential partners for the venture.

[suphanburi]

[scot47]

Thailand and Tunisia are two very different places !

[suphanburi]