Job Discussion Forums

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

I read in one of these threads that one of the reasons people leave the UAE is because they have kids that are too old for school. When does school stop for ex-pat kids? Elementary school? Middle school?

Thanks!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject:

Never...you're welcome! Seriously, K-12 is standard.

NCTBA

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

smedini,

It just becomes more expensive the higher the year. There are great schools at all levels, but they cost.

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

As NCTBA put it, K-12 is standard.

MM is right when she said that there are great ed. facilities at all levels, but they cost.

After K-12 and especially at that cost, you are better off putting your child in one of the colleges in your home country.

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

Ok...so if the cost goes up with older kids is there a little negotiating room when you renew a three year contract? I mean if I work for one school for three years and they want to keep me and I want to stay but my kids are older and more expensive to educate, is that a card I can play when renegotiating the new deal?

Thanks all!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I haven't heard of anyone being able to negotiate a higher education allowance... either for more kids or older kids.

VS

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

that is one of the issues a lot of folks have, especially if you are in one of the bigger emirates.

the costs of educaiton in dubia, sharjah, and abu dhabi mean that if you have 3 kids, then you usually will have to pay some out of pocket for the kids education.

That is one of the most important things to notice when thinking over which position to accept.

Some of the positions may offer a better salary, but have lower educational allowances, and more expensive schools in that emirate.

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

And who picks what schools the kids go to? I mean, do the schools say here's your money go find a school? Or do they say here's a list of schools to choose from...have one send us a bill? Or are teachers expected to pay tuition up front and then wait for reimbursement?

Thanks again...I'm loving the info!

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

delete

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

you pick the schools. Usually when you go in to register your kids, you will have a voucher from your employer and they cover most of the costs (usually don't pay for books, uniforms, bus, or lunches).

When you decide which school you want to work for, then contact the local schools for your kids and make sure you can get them into one of the schools. Usually you may have a waiting list, so you want to get on it ASAP.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:44 am Post subject:

The HCT give you an AED 40000 per brat Laughing

for a total of AED 80000 and it was recently announced by a director that HCT are going to (in the near future or now) give in and allow the AED 40000 for a third brat as it doesn't make much sense in having travel allowances for 3 brats but only allowing educational benefits for 2. Also, there is a facility in which the HCT pick up half the cost of what you pay out of pocket...up to a point.

NCTBA

P.s.- Hope that you don't go to work for the ADNOC program for unless things have changed in a year, their education allowance is pitiful! Correct me if I'm wrong here.

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

Excellent! Lots of good information here, everyone...keep it coming!

Cheers,
Smedini

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:05 am Post subject:

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Hi
For most contracts you need to pay until they reach their 5th birthday after which the allowances kick in. Depending on how many kids you have, you may or may not be out of pocket. There are some excellent schools but the fees have gone up considerably in the last couple of years with schools asking for further hikes over the next couple of years. If you are in Abu Dhabi the best schools are very expensive but then the education and learning environment is also excellent. If you choose to go cheaper as to send your kids to lesser schools expect less quality and poorer educational standards. Colleagues of mine have tried home schooling which is possible if one you does not work - but you need to decide on this.
Which city will you be in - we can then help further with advice. You must register your children now otherwise your first choice may have already gone. There are long waiting lists and some discrimination by some schools depending on the profile of your children - nationality of you or your wife, skin colour, educational achievement etc.. I have known many cases of prejudice by some of the top schools in Abu Dhabi - and yet at the same time no discrimination. It depends on the administrator on the day. You need to have a lot of paperwork completed. There is usually a registration fee of about $2000 per child that you may or may never see again. Your college may or may not cover this charge.
How old are your kids?
Tom

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

Hi Tom;

Thanks for the info. I'm not in UAE just yet, but expect to be within a year's time. By then my oldest child will be seven and the youngest will be three. My husband will stay home with the youngest until she is old enough to go to school (though we'll look into a preschool for a few mornings a week). I find it sad that it matters (though I've lived abroad before and know that it often does), but I am a white, Canadian female and my husband is Arab from North Africa.

Will the school that hires me provide information on what schools are available throughout the city or nearby, or will I have to hunt down the information on my own?