July 3, 2007

In response to the situation in Kuwait involving Katherine Phillips, Middle School Deputy Principal, Al-Bayan School, ISR has posted a travel/work advisory for Kuwait.

We encourage all teachers/administrators to contact their Kuwaiti Schools, calling for an immediate resolution of Katherine Phillips’ situation, one that would lift her travel ban and allow her to return home to her family. We further encourage all teachers/administrators in Kuwaiti Schools to consider not returning to Kuwait or honoring their contracts in Kuwait until this situation has been resolved. To our knowledge, two principals have resigned as has one teacher.

We encourage you to choose wisely when choosing your next international teaching position.

Note: One can never be too sure about the laws and customs of other countries and a problem like the one Katherine has encountered can be one of the down-sides of International teaching, but not such a deterrent, and so common as to keep good teachers from exploring the world and plying their craft.