Here is a thread posted on the web by a fellow teacher which reflects the problems teachers face in some gulf universities:

What follows is a list of points and a brief explanation of each problem (not ranked in any order of importance) :

1.Amending teachers' contracts mid-contract: teachers have 2 choices; sign or go back to your own country.

2.Not enough teachers in post: a problem for the last 3 years resulting in a mess of contractors who mainly use non-native speaker teachers, covered classes, lack of continuity for both students and teachers.

3.Delayed payments: some payments have been delayed up to 5 months, trying to get a reimbursement is like drawing blood.

4.Facilities: e-podiums forever break down (poor maintenance), shortage of basic materials such as board markers, wipers, copy paper, staplers etc the contractor owns a national chain of stationary shops !! There are 2 photocopiers between 170+ teachers! They frequently break down and can be out of service for months at a time.

5.An inexperienced management team: there are only a couple of exceptions but for the most part it's their first real supervisory post, this has resulted in a lack of planning and poor decision making.

Lack of approachability; forget the 'top' management they are rarely available, and supervisors have neither accurate information nor decision making powers.

Lack of accountability; it is a challenge to find out who is responsible for what, between the 3 partners they have made a success of making this area a minefield that is impassable.

There is also a case of 'overinflated ego syndrome' they rarely admit to a mistake and behave as though they were Lee Iaccoca.

6.Last minute decisions: this is par for the course and can even relate to exams and exam preparation

7.Promises Promises: never materialize

8.Training: used to keep teachers on campus (instead of a break), arranged last minute and of very little value.

9.Concern for teachers: teachers are voiceless. The teachers are left to follow what they are told, they have little understanding of the laws even when they are in their favor.

Translating, dealing with authorities etc you are basically on your own.

Trips, meals, activities are very rarely arranged leaving teachers to fend for themselves.

10. Non Academic Administration; official paperwork takes time in this country but why this long ? Whatever the request the contractors have their own schedule which inevitably means having to WAIT WAIT WAIT !

11. Instability; there is a very low level of morale and teachers feel insecure about there positions and are not optimistic about the future of the project, especially the 3 way partnership.

12. Double Standards, there are a number of 'teachers pets' among the staff, when it comes to these people there is flexibility with the rules and regs.