Dear Dr. Spilchuk,
I have no problem being opinionated and controversial on this topic. The vast majority of teaching professionals, and I personally know dozens, who have taught in Kuwait know it to be the "arm-pit" of the international education circuit. You go to a job fair and, if all else fails, you can be hired in Kuwait at the drop of a hat. This is a fact, not an opinion. I challenge your readers to provide the ISR readership with the name of one school that is professionally run. Some years ago there may have been several decent schools but this all changed with the advent of Kuwait ownership. There are major problems with all of them - if this wasn't and isn't the case then why would such a tiny, inconsequential country be so over-represented in the negative reviews on the ISR site? The people who stay there, year after year, do so for one reason - money! It is a gravy train of private tuition and people can bank their teaching salaries. Could we please just face the facts on this issue and could you please stop pretending that there are really two sides to this issue? I also challenge you to print this letter and let your readers decide if I'm correct or not.

Regards,

Vince

Dr Spilchuk Replies

Dear Vince,
If the world were as black and white as you profess it to be, we would not be free thinkers but like thinkers. I have not worked in every school in Kuwait nor has anyone in the ISR family, I believe. Since there are always variations in opinions, beliefs and convictions, it would not be fair for me to present only one side of any issue. That is why I am asking the editor to add your letter to the many we have published on the Kuwaiti International Schools issue. Each ISR member will make his or her own decision about which position seems most reasonable.

Thank you for sharing.

Barbara

Vince Writes Back

Spare me the "black and white" lecture Barbara - I'm older and far more experienced than you when it comes to international education. If you want to peddle the "let everyone be free to make their own decision" nonsense, be my guest.

Vince

Dr. Spilchuk Replies

Dear Vince,

Regardless of your assumptions, we are not at odds. I believe in responding to and publishing queries and concerns from all comers, even those I disagree with. Interesting that you would consider yourself older and more experienced than I am since you do not have intimate knowledge of my CV and I do not have intimate knowledge of yours to question this red herring in the discussion we have embarked upon. This comment alone, however, indicates to me that you have a serious case of arrogant perception with respect to others in the profession and their opinions. You might want to reconsider the impression you make to colleagues if you are at all concerned about this. If not, why then I wish you well on your solitary journey into the future.

Cheers,

Barbara

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