Greetings,

Has anyone else's schools said they must stay in country during virtual learning? Though schools in my country will be closed and virtual learning remaining in place until the end of the year, we are told we cannot depart and do virtual learning from our home countries.

Not sure precisely, I met someone at a training who worked there and didn't mind the school. It's full IB and offers it in 3 languages. They left because they were worn down by Bangkok.

http://www.educationreviewthailand.com/archives/209

Here's a write up.

I was prepared from the moment I got on the plane...dressy casual (no tie, rolled up sleeves on button up shirt - no sandals) you'd be surprised who you meet at the line ups through customs, checking in at the hotel, etc.

For interviews I wore what I wear to work: dress pant, shirt and tie, dress shoes. I chose solid colours with a modern styled tie (not a huge fan of the skinny tie, but wide is out). I did bring a suit but never wore it.

My wife wore dressy capris and a nice top on the airplane, pant suit/ slash skirt with blouse for interviews.

When we got our jobs we still dressed well.

Let's be honest, your qualifications will get you the skip the line pass, but your personality and image get you the job.

My good friend has been a Principal at 2 quality schools for the last 7 years and he always says it makes a difference. That is what he did as a teacher and still looks for as someone who is hiring.

I've been abroad for 5 years...and as mentioned above in other posts the documentation is vague. Essentially the CRA divides ties to Canada into 2 categories (I'm paraphrasing): Residential and other: here is a link:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/nd ... eng.html#d

here is a further explanation of their categories:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/tchncl/ncmt ... c-eng.html

Essentially I was advised by a Financial Adviser that specializes in Canadian non-resident investments and Trowbridge accounting out of Torornto (@jbiersteker) not to fill out the NR5 form. They advised to cut all major residential ties and as many others as possible. Essentially, you need to live your life as if you never have any intention of returning to Canada again. So, ditch the OHIP (if your from Ontario), homes that can be considered a primary residence, cars in your name, RRSP's can remain you just can't contribute more, library cards, magazine subscriptions, get a mailing address that is a c/o, driver's license (although I keep mine), credit cards (it is better to use credit from the country you reside). On the end where you 'reside' establish a life with many ties so that it could be proven it is your permanent residence.

But, as many have said the CRA approaches each on a case by case basis.

Good luck and good thread. We should all stay informed since governments will inevitably be changing laws as money is getting tight...I know the US is starting to crack down on US citizens having money abroad.

If the new school you are referring to is the one in Sabah Al Salem, it looks as though they are attempting to start a school the right way.

As far as getting a job as not certified, it does depend on the school. Recent changes to the Visa requirements may make schools a little hesitant to hire you as a full time teacher. Each school, depending how they value accreditation, does not like to have many teachers without certification. Which is nonsense based off your experience, but you have to understand that in Kuwait the piece of paper and stamp are most important than actual ability. However, you should be able to work as a supply teacher no problem. As a previous poster mentioned the tutoring business can be affluent though it will be slow to establish. If you have a science or math background you can easily charge 20 KD and hour, especially for high school or upwards of 25 to 35 KD for university English (essay writing). There are also some legitimate tutoring places like Sylvan learning center and Oxford, although they don't pay as much you have guaranteed hours.

If you have any more questions about Kuwait fire away, although I'm on may way out, 5 years here has been good. For the point of your life where you are looking to travel, you couldn't be in a much better hub.

Good luck.

[quote="CoachM"]@3xlucky

The Ministry will not even look at the credential they only care about your degree.[/quote]

Tough luck. I think it depends on the school. If you have dependents I am unsure how willing a school is at looking the other way. I know there are people working here that don't have a teaching degree and are not teaching in their field...although most schools try to avoid it since it effects accreditation.

You never know, keep trying.

BKK job fair this winter, sitting at a table to book an interview with one of our top choices, the school director asks us, "what time is good for you guys?" We respond with 9:30am and she promptly says, "that won't work, I am getting my last fitting done during that time."

Thanks a lot...this is our life!!!

To finish it off, during the interview in her room the next day, a knock on the door came and she left her desk during my wife's mid sentence answer to get the door and gather her tailored goods.

Needless to say it no longer was one of our top choices after that interview.

[quote="CoachM"]But according to what I have read on ISR we should be able to find a job in Kuwait. 3xlucky, what do you think? [/quote]

Well Coach...if you are not picky, there are many schools in Kuwait that would hire, you just need to ask yourself at what cost? If you need a job and want to get overseas experience, well, as long as your paid and your family is taken care of, 2 years is a short time.

Best of luck, if you hear of any specific schools and you want feedback LMK.

[quote="Pdm163"]What are typical living arrangements for a family? Yes, they are provided.[/quote]

Greetings.

I would say the living conditions are good. Most schools try and give families a 3 bedroom place (except for my school). I would ask where the accommodation is located. If it is close to your school the Sabah Al Salem area is relatively new, it is very much like a suburb. Some areas are complete some still with dirt lots. But, if you have been in Iraq you will be use to a large dirt lot next to a building. If it is far away, ask how long they will provide transportation. I am pretty sure that the labor law states that transportation must be provided.

@CoachMe

As an employee in the ME (Kuwait) for the last 5 years and jumping to Dubai next year, my opinion is that most of the top schools in the ME have already filled their docket. I agree with shadowjack that very few schools that are for profit, in Kuwait especially, offer very few packages that will accommodate a large family. The big one for us is tuition. Our school only offers 50% tuition per student. It kind of defeats the purpose of being overseas. One of the many reasons we are moving to Dubai to a non profit that has better packages for families.

Looking at the Kuwait school that are to be in San Fran....Al Bayan would be my first choice....ASK and AIS would be tied for a maybe. However, the Jordan schools are okay...except King's is a resident school and don't have a program for young kids. GEMS World in Dubai is a fancy newer school, it is for profit, but people I know that work there have like it. As for the rest in the UAE I haven't heard much. As for Qatar, the foundation schools are loaded with good salaries and shiny classrooms, but have had some criticism about being run by non educators and have cleaned house multiple times.

At any rate, all of this is my 2 cents...it is just one opinion.

Good luck. Ask lots of questions.

[quote="Pdm163"]3xlucky and vitiminz,

What questions would you ask if you were interviewed to get a better understanding of the program? It sounds like the school is in the Sabah Al Salem area of Kuwait City.

What is the cost of groceries and other necessities?[/quote]


Questions in an interview, well that depends on what are your needs. I would create categories: Academics/accreditation/curriculum of the school, accommodation/healthcare/settling allowance, early years program/children's tuition

1. about health care, if they say you have gov't coverage that stinks. Unless you can speak Arabic and you want to go to the craziest hospitals ever! If they don't offer Health Insurance for you and a dependent(s) I would walk away.

2. ask about the school's curriculum, your teaching load, preps, etc. Ask about accreditation and where they are in their process and who they are looking to be accredited by. Ask about your teaching load, new schools will often make you teach multiple preps as their population is low and will need lots of holes filled.

3. You have children, so, unless they are getting full funding at the school you work at, what's the point of coming international. Private schools in Kuwait are expensive and if it comes out of your salary you will struggle to get by.

4. Ask if Accommodation is provided, if it is a stipend, it needs to be near 500KD in order to get a decent place that is more than 2 bedroom. If they do provide, make sure it has basic furnishings and then ask about a settling in payment.

5. Make sure flights to and from home are included for your entire family.

6. Salary: if you are not going to be paid more than 750KD, living will be tight on one salary. My wife and I both teach have 2 kids (2.5 and almost 1) with a day nanny who comes 5 days a week, pay a small mortgage at home, pay for my Master's and a little bit of savings, granted, combined we make just over 1600KD a month. If you want to tutor, you can double your income.

Cost of living: It is rising in Kuwait. If you are fine with local meats, vegetable and corner restaurants it is reasonable. For a family of four we spend probably 150 to 200 KD a month on food. It varies (stupid diapers). On top of that we have internet, cell phones and a car. I highly recommend getting a car they are inexpensive to by used and gas is cheap, although, be warned the driving can be hectic at times.

Here are some links that have some ideas of basics:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/co ... rrency=KWD the KD is broken down into 1000 fils....so .40 = 400 fils.
http://www.csb.gov.kw/Socan_Statistic_EN.aspx?ID=19 this is a link to Kuwait statistics. Check out the Consumer Price Index. Since 2006, food has gone up almost 40%.

Any other questions, ask away.

Greetings,

If you have any specifics about the school, even the listing I can tell you more. I am currently in Kuwait and have been for 5 years. Unfortunately, there are very few schools I would send my children to; and if it is a start up school I would be very cautious. Established schools in Kuwait are dodgy enough, let alone a new one.

Give more details and I can answer more.

Sorry PsychBean for the out of date response, but if you are still looking in Kuwait I have been here for 5 years at one of the schools on your list. Let me know some specifics as the hiring season is gearing up for these schools as the Dubai fair is approaching.

Contacting the Ministry is a process that can't be entered unless you can show documentation that you have tried to resolve issues with your board. For example, I provided a letter 3 times to be responded to by the Board and it was not put on the agenda by the Superintendent. As well, our Staff Association has great difficulty getting any response to the labor law on their monthly agendas since it would then go into the minutes.

Attaining a lawyer is difficult because once you open a case you cannot leave the country (you can travel, but you can't begin the process of no longer being a resident if exiting the country). Many law cases can be buried for years as well.

What I am truly curious about is how the accreditation process will deal with this issue. My school is undergoing the process this fall. I have a feeling it will be nothing more than a recommendation by the accreditation team. It shows true insight to how ineffective the accreditation process is.

Greetings,

Does anyone have advice or experience with dealing with schools in Kuwait that refuse to follow the Kuwait Labor Law.

For example, the school I am at refuses to implement the maternity leave (original 40 days to 70) and an increase in six days (original 6 to 12 or 15 (I can't quite remember)).

Having been in Kuwait for 4 years I am quite aware that as an expat I am relatively powerless, especially since my school is a large for profit corporation.