Yet
what did I find here? I discovered that if I clocked out even a single minute
early, I would be docked pay. I discovered that when I come in early, I will
not be paid a dirham extra. And I discovered that if I had to work a weekend, I
would not be given time any time off in lieu.
Yes,
the HCT is VERY big on respect for teachers!
I
was also assured that the students here are very respectful. Well, if what I
have experienced represents respect, I would loath to feel the treatment that
they dish out to those they don’t like. Quite simply, if a girl has any reason
to believe a teacher is ‘bad’ (i.e., gives homework), they just run and
complain and always get their own way. In fact, on my very first day here, one
of my darlings made it very clear that she would call her ‘relatives’ in Abu
Dhabi and life would become quite uncomfortable for me.
So
yes, HCT’s students hold their teachers in VERY high regard!
Even
worse, any teacher who makes the precious little darlings actually do some work
gets instantly harassed by the administration. This typically takes the form of
random extra tasks, difficulties in securing documents, and the worst
allocation of rooms and classes. By the way, the local Emirati management is
quite incompetent and corrupt, and any attempts to obtain redress will
inevitably result in … more bullying!
A colleague of mine would like to
add the following:
“If we complain, a few things
possibly happen, none of which are helpful. We aren’t heard. We are told
nothing will change. We are told we should be grateful we are paid well. None
of these answers are ones that should be going on. We aren’t teachers for the
money. I can’t say that enough. Money does not motivate us.
We just ask for respect and to do our
job.”
