Anybody else moving out to teach in January?

I hope this answer will help somebody either a) leave AL Maha before they are tied in or b) not come.

For the person who said they are scared, then they need to be. Al Maha is a frightening place.

Under no circumstances should you go to Al Maha Boys Academy. This is a serious warning to be taken seriously. It is not a school as such. Rather, a creche for hugely wealthy children whose parents a powerful and who will force you to do what they want.

No learning takes place and you will witness shocking racism, bullying, abuse and mal practice there. It is impossible to describe how bad the school is. There are a lot of good teachers there failing day in day out because of the landscape there. No progress has been made in years. 4 Principals in 5 years, scores of teachers fired year on year. One large step to the right. Women not tolerated. Polite suggestions not tolerated. Common sense rejected. Teachers are treated disgustingly. Boys and their parents create an atmosphere where you can't do your job. Abuse is rife. Teachers are on the edge and majorly regret coming. You can't quite believe how bad it is. Anybody who survives a year there deserves the OBE, CBE and Purple Heart! Its a misery factory. There are pockets of acceptable practice within the school, but largely, the place seems as if it designed to push teachers to the edge and beyond. I haven't even mentioned the boys behaviour and lack of English yet. Their behaviour has to be seen to be believed. Read the comments on international schools review or go to, http://www.almahaschoolreview.com

Hello Lea and Brewtality,

Are you two settled in yet and how was the transition?

Hi Lea and Brewtality...

hope now that you are settled in Qatar, u can give me more input into the conditions on that side. I received a contract this morning for Al Maha boys academy.

gosh, i was very excited, but this forum has made me scared......

hope to hear from you soon

LP is right! I think they must have to provide info on that!

You will not have a permanent work/residency visa until after you land and pass the medical and security checks. You arrive on an entry visa pending the aforesaid approved visa. At any time you can be sent home if you don't pass the medical and security checks. If they have 3 compounds where they house employees they should certainly be able to provide some sort of photos of the variety of accomodation available - that's pretty standard for good employers.

Hello Brewtality:

I'm coming from the United States.

Regards,

Lea989

I am starting in January yeah. Have you gone through Academics?

My interview was in December and according to the agency, the school is waiting on a visa before sending me airline tickets. Again, rather vague!

I'm sure we'll become well acquainted in the not too distant future. Are you travelling alone or are you bringing children with you?

I'm coming from the UK (liverpool) by the way...

Hello

I too am to start work for the Ta'allum group at Al Maha Academy. I did receive my contract and a little after that my airline ticket.

I had to contact the agency that placed me to find out who would be meeting me at the airport.

As far as to where I would be living, they only told me that they have 3 compounds. Very vauge.

Are you starting in January?

Regards,

Lea989

most schools would tell you what type of accomodation they provide at least - for example single/one bedroom fully furnished flat.

Also, if they are an ongoing operation, they probably already have the flats rented and should be able to provide more particulars (i.e. photos).

As for getting paid, no matter the status of your residency, they should be paying you while it goes through the bureaucracy, reputable employers do that. If for some reason you don't get an RP then they should also tell you what happens at that stage (repatriation at the school's expense).

brewtality - it doesn't sound out of ordinary if they have provided you with all these details in the offer letter :o) in fact, that's pretty good as for Qatar LOL.

brewtality - it doesn't sound out of ordinary if they have provided you with all these details in the offer letter :o) in fact, that's pretty good as for Qatar LOL.

Well the offer of employment included information on sallary and allowances as well as the extras offered and info on what I am required to provide in terms of documentation. I know how much I will be paid, the dates covered by my contract and all of that, I am just waiting for specifics on accommodation etc... I know there are other people moving out at the same time so was hoping at least one of them might use this website and might have received some of that information.

I know that I should not expect things in Qatar to be as efficient or transparent as in the UK but I have experience of working in other countries where that is also the case so like I said, I am giving the school the benefit of the doubt...

the word used was "moving-out".

No, it's not normal. Why should you take a job if they don't tell you the exact conditions? Think about it.

Well I have heard that the beauracracy in Qatar is different to that in England so I have tried not to judge to be honest!

Fortunately I am a flexible single male with no dependants. However I am not particularly rich and so couldn't really work for free!

I have just spoken to the company who brokered my job and apparently, my work visa needs to come through before the school will give me all of the information and book my flights. Is this normal?

Some of the teachers were hired back in August. The school dragged their medical tests and benefits to see if they like the teacher for the 1st tri-semester. Some of the teachers are miserable on their housing arrangements. Others complain about being put on inside contracts and receiving no plane ticket back home or any tuition allowances for their children. Some of the employees didn't receive their salary until they cleared their medical examination. Therefore, you basically worked for FREE until you received your Qatar ID.

If a woman is hired usually she can not sponsor her husband. So read the fine lines before you get here.

the best thing to do is to contact them directly (HR) to find out the details. If they are not giving you any information, then... it gives you an idea about the culture of place you'll be working for...

LP exactly..

You should be quite suspicious if the school does not provide you with the information you require. What kind of professionalism is that? Are you sure you want to deal with bloody amateurs?