Job Discussion Forums

[Desert Storm]

Al-Bassam School Boys School

This is a post to generally inform the people about life at Al-Bassam Schools, a private boys school in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. I've worked here for a number of years and so I've prepared a list of what to expect and what not to expect:

-Expect to be frustrated, angry, and confused on a regular basis
-Expect to meet ridiculous demands and participate in a million things/projects that lead nowhere
-Expect to be told one thing and then another thing happens (ie: you're told that you have vacation but you're told when to take it)
-Expect to be told what to do and how to do it (remember they hired you to work not to think)
-Expect policies to be made and changed in the same week
-Expect to be treated as though you've never taught in your life
-Expect money to be taken out of your account without your consent
-Expect to teach from a curriculum that isn't appropriate for most of the students' level of English
-Housing is provided but expect corners to be cut (ie: if you qualify for an allowance expect inadequate funding for furniture and appliances and/or to be told where to live)

-Don't expect more than 7000 Riyals per month (+300 for transport) for a salary
-Don't expect to be respected professionally
-Don't expect extensive medical coverage for a large family (300 riyals per month only)
-Don't expect a Letter of Release/No Objection
-Don't expect vision or detailed planning
-Don't expect Administrative support in disciplinary matters
-Don't expect Administrative support when dealing with teacher-student altercations
-Don't expect Administrative support in general
-Don't expect an Employee Handbook (or to be told what company or school policies actually are but expect to held accountable for them)
-Don't expect school-wide rules
-Don't expect the Administration to listen to sincere suggestions or concerns
-Don't expect your vacation pay until you actually return from vacation (unless of course you have a co-signer sign on your behalf and in the event you don't return they will dock the co-signer's pay)

The only plus that I can say is that they do pay on time. Other than that�well you've read the list.

Hope this is helpful for those who are interested. They post quite a lot on TEFL.com and occasionally on Dave's ESL caf�.

Until the Administration and Upper Management changes, and until they understand that they have hired Western teachers who will not readily just "shut up and listen to anything that they are told", working here will continue to remain dull, frustrating and downright depressing. They sell themselves to customers in part because they have all native speakers in their English Department. If they continue to treat them in this way it won't be long before they won't have any.

[dmb]

[Mohammad]

That's right DMB.

If it's that bad, why did you stay?

[usool]

Hello

Bassam schools is basically a neo-facist outfit. I applied some years go for a job and was asked if I was a Salafi? I didn't answer in the affirmative so, alhamdolillah, didn't get the job. In retrospect I have never been so happy not to be a neo-facist salafi!!!

Regards and best wishes

[Mohammad]

Usool,

What's a 'neo-fascist salafi'?

[veiledsentiments]

It's the Muslim equivalent of the Right Wing Fundamentalist NeoConservative American Christians...

VS

[Desert Storm]

dmb...sometimes people get themselves into situations which aren't easy to get out of. I would've left immediately, better believe it, but there were other personal circumstances that didn 't make leaving an easy option.

as for the 'neo-fascist salafi' comment I'm not sure what or who you're referring to...

[Mohammad]

DS,

I take it that you are a Muslim as that school usually asks for Muslim males. Are you a salafi?

[scot47]

I thought Salafi was the default mode in KSA !

[Mohammad]

That may be the case, but not all the Muslims who go there from the west are Salafis!

[Desert Storm]

For those uninformed about Al-Bassam school policy for the LONO:

NO ONE will/would receive a LONO unless they have worked 5+ years... so for people who may want to take the job consider it carefully.


since they weren't so gracious to inform us before we actually went there, I'm letting you know now.

who works that long for anyone these days?

if you have any questions, just shoot me a PM.

[BattleAxe]

I would have to agree with DessertStorm

Outside of being underpaid and overworked with little or no self gratification, Bassam Boys School is a RIP OFF. It has got to be the worst professional enviroment I have ever encountered. They sold many of us an idea that turned out later to be a lie. This is how must schools get you in their grips, they LIE. So investigate before you GO!

This is a school that lies to the parents by telling them they are joining an immergence English program yet they only get 80 minutes of English a day?! Parents complain left and right and the administration places all the blame on its English teachers. They do not tell these parents that the curriculum being used is inappropriate and they do not get enough English to achieve true immergence.

Now for those in a big rush to come to Saudi Arabia and take part in this supposed gold rush then rest assure you won't find such at Bassam Schools. Take your time and choose your job wisely. I like many were excited at the idea of being able to be in Saudi and did not research the school, its business practices, and its staff before taking the job. DO NOT TAKE JUST ANY JOB offer. Research it well, talk to previous employers, see exactly who is in charge.

Let's look at the school's key players:

MOD Edit: let me summarize that this poster does not like his previous management and avoid using names and direct personal attacks

With this amount of supervisors and managers, it becomes clear why the school is a failure. Everything is micro managed!

I have not even touched upon the various manners by which they oppress both their Arab and English staff. That is another chapter in an of itself. If you want to find out, apply to be a teacher at the school, I dare you.

So in closing, find a better place to work. Al-Bassam Schools is not worth your time, money, or effort. Any company that does not have the well being of its staff in their best interest is a company that you should stay far away from.

THE BATTLEAXE!!!!
emancipated slave/indentured servant of Bassam Schools

[scot47]

Why are you still around ?

[Henry_Cowell]

[Desert Storm]

we hear you loud and clear

the frustrations are visible...