An
Administrator and a Teacher with Opposite
Opinions about Kuwait Incident.
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Dear Dr. Spilchuk,
I am a Western Admin. working in Kuwait. I do not fear
for my position. I use in-school suspensions as part
of my discipline procedures and the majority of the
parents I work with would prefer me to use this method
of discipline rather then an out-of-school suspension.
I will continue to do this. Prior to doing this,
I call the parents, we discuss the incident and the
consequences. Thus far I have always had the parents
support. Please the Katherine Phillips incident is
an isolated case, pushed by a very arrogant parent
who has no understanding of the ramifications of
what he did as I am sure he does not care.
Many of the international schools
are required by their accreditation board to have Western
admin if they desire to maintain their accreditation.
Having lived in Kuwait for the past 8 years, I have
only heard of one teacher who was held and that was
for good reasons. Other educators were released from
contracts for actually doing very foolish things which
included not respecting the traditions and values of
the country (the Flowers incident is too humorous to
actually use as an example).
The Ministry of Education has a
habit of making blanket statements before actually
looking at the whole picture. The decision making within
the country, as a whole is reactive not proactive and
it will take years for them to put together a package
which their educationally qualified nationals will
find acceptable.
The private schools are a business
for profit and need to listen to their parents (the
consumers). I am sure that approx. 85% of the parents
have
chosen to have their children in these private schools
for the Western education and the desire to send their
children to Western universities. The majority of the
parents understand that if the accreditation criteria
is not maintained their children will not meet the
standards required to attend universities outside
Kuwait. This will become a major issue if Western admin.
are no longer in the picture.
I am concerned for the many conscientious
students and teachers in the many international schools
who will suffer because potential teachers are not
seeing the whole picture.
From a Western
administrator who plans on ending my career in Kuwait
(at least 10 more years to go).
Dr. Spilchuk Replies:
Dear Western Administrator,
Thank
you so much for your alternative view on this situation.
Clearly you have the depth
of experience to add to this discussion between and
among International educators. You will note in my
message to the general Kuwait public that I support
much of what you are saying. A hard line by the Minister
of Education in Kuwait will be the ultimate downfall
of the international Education System in that country.
There is no doubt in my mind that up to this point
there have been good relations between Western teachers/administrators
and the general Kuwait public/private school system,
albeit that it is a system designed for profit.
Best wishes on your continued success
in your career as an administrator in Kuwait. Should
you ever need ISR in the future for any reason, be
assured we will be there for you.
Sincerely
Barbara
Dr. Barbara Spilchuk
ISR Teacher Advisor
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Hello Dr. Spilchuk,
In response to the
incident at Al Bayan International School with Katherine
Phillips,
it seems to me that the greatest reaction would be
a collective response by the entire international school
community. I would suggest that teachers presently
working in Kuwait should complete their present contracts
and not renew them, instead after completing the contract
they should seek employment elsewhere. Teachers attending
recruitment fairs should neither seek nor accept an
interview with a Kuwait school. In addition, a progressive
step would be for schools to meet a set of standards
set by the recruiting agencies for the school's attendance
at recruitment fairs. This set of standards could extend
to countries as to the Katherine Phillips incident
and the response of the Kuwait government.
Have a good day,
Roy
Dr. Spilchuk Replies:
Hello Roy
You make some excellent points. If you check the ISR
web site, you will see that the Kuwaiti Minister
of Education has made their own political response
to
Katherine's situation and the active political involvement
by ISR and other Recruitment/Teacher organizations
who placed pressure on the American government to
assist Katherine. It appears that there is a ban
on the future hiring of Western administrators in
Kuwait. My thoughts about this announcement are that
Western teachers will find a great difference in
the running and administration of Kuwaiti schools
in the future as a result of this ban, and those
who have not yet chosen to complete their contracts
and leave following the coming year will do so as
the situation tightens and control becomes less conducive
to International School settings normally experienced
around the world.
Thank you so much for you concern
and input. I believe it will be International Administrators
and teachers in the field who will determine Kuwait's
participation in International education in the future.
I am in contact with some of the recruitment agencies
and ISR does have their ear to some degree. Your input
in this regard is invaluable.
Sincerely,
Barbara
