Job Discussion Forums

[dogzB]

Can anybody shed light on working in the training centre of this ministry? Any info. gratefully accepted.

[dogzB]

I'm asking for recent info - the Set. 04 thread fizzled out without coming to a conclusion. Is anybody there who could give an indication of how things are at present since they have another ad. out?

thanks

[blues clues]

If you're talking about the Ministry of Education, Training Center whom have advertised time and time again for teachers, I can tell you the reputation is not good. The director is another one of these power trippers and teachers are not treated well. Although the salary may appear to be good for Qatar, teachers are over-worked, split shifts, which can be morning, afternoon or evening. THe person running this place doesn't seem to know what she's doing, and everything is on a whim. They have been working with different businesses, banks, etc, to try to Qatarize the countries workforce, however, it doesn't seem to be working. The Training Center itself is modern and has a lot to offer, I would suggest you try to meet teachers who are now working there. Not a happy place to work. Good luck with it.

[biffinbridge]

I left Qatar in 2003 but had a lot of friends who worked for this shoddy outfit.....all of them have since left.The director,(all 22 stone of her),is a complete dictator.Even if you complete your contract ,she will not give you a no objection letter,which means you will have to leave Qatar for several years.She's also reticent about giving references.In short,she's the very worst example of a school director I've ever met or seen.Too much power,not enough common sense.

[dogzB]

Thanks for the information - steering well clear!!

[slaqdog]

I had the displeasure of suffering in this centre and it was a complete head****!

What Biff said is spot on. They no longer have a Head of English--They ran through 4 in my 10 months there! The person now in charge of the training is to say the least underqualified.
The director is a big shot (change one vowel)
The place is a shameful waste of money and resources--state of the art CALL centres with NO software.
The place runs of fear and loathing.

[oryx]

With regards to the MCSAH NOT MED!: some of the complaints date back to experiences during 2002 and before.
I would like to put a couple of things straight!

First of all, we have a very sucessful Qatarisation programme now. It is wonderful to see the first generation of ladies come out of the home, undertake constructive work training and blossom in the workplace. We have a high sucess rate. It will take a couple of generations but it is happening and it is exciting to be a part of it.

We are not a waste of money.

The atmosphere between staff is actually very positive, supportive and friendly! More so than other places I have worked! I like my colleagues!

We have good holidays, good pay and good accommodation.

There! you have heard it from the horse's mouth now!

[biffinbridge]

Spot the person who's gone native.Masalaama habibte.

[goodgirl]

If you are thinking of going to work in Qatar, I will suggest you go take a look at the place and don't listen to people that had bad experiences because they couldn't do a good job.

Life is great out here and I have no regrets.

[slaqdog]

goodgirl you are funny!- a breath of fresh air.
You have never set foot in this centre have you? The posts are not dissing Doha but reflecting reality at this place-sure go and enjoy Qatar but know what to expect.

[Stephen Jones]

[slaqdog]

Quote "We are not a waste of money.

The atmosphere between staff is actually very positive, supportive and friendly!" unquote
HAHA! Oh dear, that's so funny . This poster might just possibly be the Tunisian Head of English with no Tefl experience whatsoever? (They just got so tired of hiring and firing experienced English DOS')
I do agree it's a fine thing to see women entering the workforce but that does not excuse running a place on fear, loathing and total disrespect shown towards the TEFL staff huddled at their desks in the corridor(I kid you not).

[Bindair Dundat]

[slaqdog]

Thats a really tough competition But I nominate the enormous Director of this centre and back Biff's judgement; she is the pits (although her size has nothing t do with her mean incompetence)
A small example of her ways- I gave in my stipulated notice and my request for a Reference was met with a letter that said 'worked here' I stress my work was of a very high standard- and I was not sacked as another poster on this thread said but left after serving over a year in Qatar-
Now this is small beer compared to some practises but it's to illustrate her meaness. Everyone was shortchanged at the end of contracts(some after being sacked without notice or warning; just come up and see her at the end of the month: you're fired! others gave in notice, worked hard and hey presto she shortchanges them!)-My pay was 3 days short because the month ended 3 days after the last working day(finished on Wed, the following Monday was a national holiday and I was leaving that Monday); When I faced her with this she 'allowed' me 3 days extra holiday pay because I was serious about legal action:- She does back down when challenged because she knows full well her actions are indefensible but relies on the fact that teachers shrug say'what can I do' and she wins! You do have a contract and you do have legal rights.

[Boy Wonder]

I turned down a job offer from these cowboys a while ago.
One of the few good decisions I have made in TEFL.

If the same management team is still in charge then it just highlights the enormous shortcomings of the whole operation because they should have been given the heave ho a long long time ago!!

My advice to anybody considering working there is that the whole place reminded me of some modern Orwellian 1984 institute...You could feel the fear and trepidation almost running down the walls.

Steer well clear.