Job Discussion Forums

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

Surprised there isnt a thread for this yet.

Iceat, edex, and other companies are in a bidding war for new contracts with KSU for 3 years. As I understand it only Al Hussan are safe for now.

This could turn ugly. I can only assume some teachers may lose their jobs. It is taking ages to hear of something. Hope it doesnt end up being a Bell situation.. Rolling Eyes

I-forgot · Joined: 28 Jun 2015 Posts: 153 Location: Riyadh

It is a bad move by KSU to string it out so long.

Vacation dates haven't been confirmed yet (with only a month to go before the end of the semester) and the uncertainty will have an impact on retention. With no guarantee of a job for the next academic year, it makes it much easier to look elsewhere for employment.

Promises were made that the contract winner would take on faculty who were given a green light for renewal by the university but that will involve a final exit, degree accreditation and verification, a new visa etc for the teachers concerned. That would be a couple of months without pay but with a lot of bills. Not many people will be sufficiently motivated to go through all of that again just to return to KSU.

Poor management (surprise, surprise).

On another note, what other contracts do ICEAT, EDEX, SBC etc have now? Where might the KSU teachers find themselves working next semester?

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

Yeah seems stupid to give the summer holiday dates and then no one can make any final holiday choices due to all of this.

The university had no real issues or concerns with iceat (dont know about other companies) so I just find it pointless and stupid to allow other companies to come in and ruin what was secure and set up already.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

1chunk · Joined: 05 Aug 2014 Posts: 123

Good thread!

It's very simple...The one with the strongest wasta (connections) will win. Isn't that how Al Hussan miraculously won their contract nearly two years ago?! Al Hussan are safe for another year, they will need to fight again next year.

I think (and according to my sources) they will decrease the size of the KSU PYP. It's an easy way to cut costs. Some jobs will go for sure.

And the new contract will definitely not be as generous as previous ones. So also expect a drop in Salaries. The laws of supply and demand will allow that to happen.

Makkah · Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Posts: 113

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

We're now in the month of our holidays.. And no holidays can be planned!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Cletus · Joined: 30 Apr 2014 Posts: 48 Location: Qassim

I was told May 20th is the date the announcement will be made. The KSU PY program will need fewer teachers next year as with most of the Other PY programs in KSA. Student enrollment is down .

Smile

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

We are seeing a "race to the bottom" in terms of falling salaries and other benefits.

1chunk · Joined: 05 Aug 2014 Posts: 123

Check my thread from many months ago. Some mocked me, but I had reliable information that all PYPs will be affected due to cutbacks. The KSU PYP is definitely shrinking so if you are there now, I'd suggest you put faith in God and tie your camel at the same time (start looking elsewhere).

The TEFL world in KSA is gradually on the decrease and it will further deteriorate the longer the oil price remain at these levels. They need an oil price of above $100 and we won't be seeing that any time soon so do the maths!!

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

Comes as no surprise that they will announce the news around the 20th. They are blatantly waiting for exams to be over to break the bad news to teachers cos they KNOW people will stop caring if they break the news now. Without doubt many jobs will be lost. Hence the hush hush last minute decision.

Everyone should have a backup plan.

Kinda sad cos iceat were a good company through their 5 year contract and got better and better as the years went on. Which sounds rare when you read some of the stories on this forum!

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

And the university are also training and hiring Saudi Nationals to do the teaching jobs.. Should be amusing.. I can only imagine the chaos in the classrooms.. Razz

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Unless the Saudi teachers are Alqhattanis with some kind of academic ethics found in the West, lots of luck.

I-forgot · Joined: 28 Jun 2015 Posts: 153 Location: Riyadh

[quote="Mysterious"]And the university are also training and hiring Saudi Nationals to do the teaching jobs.. Should be amusing.. I can only imagine the chaos in the classrooms.. Razz

[/quote]

Some of the Saudis are more capable than the other non-natives they have hired.

Some of the British passport holders can barely string together a coherent sentence. Others have such strong accents that I struggle to understand them, never mind the students!

I do not understand how they still have jobs.