Job Discussion Forums

[kylemcgee]

Hello -

I have been asked to do a quick survey to find out about the schools in Oman. I am mostly interested in colleges, but all school info is welcome. Please respond with:

School name: Name of institution
Your School type: Secondary, College, etc.
Your teaching hours: How many hours of teaching a week.
Holidays: How many holidays (vacation days) you get a year.
Salary: Average salary.

I'll try to post a summary for all to read!

Thanks!

Kyle

[kylemcgee]

Hmmm.. 87 views, but no responses. Can I ask for round numbers? Or you can leave out info (eg. college name) if you don't know it or don't feel comfortable sharing.


Just for your info:

Our school is Oman College of Management & Technology
MA Holders (Native Speakers) are paid OR 1100 (total package)
18 Hours a week, but some classes are considered 'lab' classes and are paid less (2/3 normal)
48 Days of vacation

I'm trying to get the conditions improved, so any info about other colleges would be helpful. We would at least like the 'lab' policy changed, but it's hard to justify without info.

Please, I need your help..

Kyle

[eslbear]

I think the lab hours can be considered at a lesser rate - are they actually doing anything except supervising students at the computer? Is there prep involved, marking, "contact" meaning sustained interaction and presentation with the group?

It might be considered a bit cheap, but fair none the less.

eslbear

[007]

[kylemcgee]

[veiledsentiments]

007 tends to post irrelevancies rather than actually helpful answers. It's his "style."

I have never heard of paying a different hourly rate for different classes... unless you are talking about an adjunct being paid hourly. But, you have quoted a salary. In every contract I have worked with in Oman or otherwise, you are paid your salary and are around the office for X number of hours... have X number of contact hours... X number of office hours. I don't see how you can "pay" someone "less" for lab hours when they are being paid a "salary" of 1100 a month. (and yes, that is pretty low for an MA... the other colleges are paying that for BA+CELTA+a few years of experience.)

From what I have heard, vacation pay varies from 6 weeks to 2 months, plus a semester break, and the usual national holidays. That has stayed pretty constant over the years. Teaching hours seems to vary from 18 to low 20s depending on student number to staff ratios.

So, I'd say that your pay is very low (especially when an MA can get $3500-4000 to start in the UAE with some decent experience)... teaching hours to the low side... and summer break sounds to the low end. (if it is calendar days, not work days). The whole lab thing is bizarre and have never heard of any employer doing it.

VS

[kylemcgee]

[veiledsentiments]

Remember that the UAE is only a three hour drive away... so it is not quite apples and oranges... it is more macintosh vs red delicious. If one can get $4000 and live in Al-Ain... driving to Oman every weekend to camp and hike... why would one take $2800?

And... at both university level employers that I worked for in Oman, teachers were paid by their education and experience... not by the color of their skin, passport, or whether they were a "native" speaker or not. I find this policy disgusting.

VS

[007]

[kylemcgee]

[happyroofus]

[kylemcgee]

[veiledsentiments]