I was seeking general information about these schools in the Philippines - hopefully if anyone has enough information to write a review they will post one of the 'other side' - but if anyone has information about these schools I really would like to hear!

Very few schools in the Philippines have been reviewed on ISR and I was wondering about a few that so far haven't. For example, King's School, the Beacon Academy, Westfields IS, CIE British Schools in Cebu and Tacloban, and Reedley IS. Has anyone heard anything about any of these - how international they are, do they hire expats, do they pay ok? Any info would be very welcome.

Has anyone had any experiences with Interlead (Tony Burkin) - a consultant from NZ who works with school management to implement professional performance review/appraisal? He advocates journaling and personal ownership of your own performance review. Sounds good but at my school we feel its a compliance-heavy approach, rather passive-aggressively questioning our professionalism. I suppose it is down to how a school's management decide to interpret it but at my school we fear the worse.

It would be for pension padding at the tail-end of my career IF it comes to that...but I think places like the UAE and Qatar offer better alternatives. Thanks again for the informed replies.

Many thanks - it certainly sounds grim. I think in comparison I would rather go back to Qatar - better infrastructure, better pay, and tutoring. Hopefully I won't have to but you never know in these uncertain times.

Thanks for the replies. So I assume then a good package in Kuwait - for a qualified, experienced IT with years clocked 'at home' and internationally - would be annual flight(s), furnished accomm with paid utilities (excl phone and internet), medical cover (excl. dentistry), salary in the region of 2000KD, free school place for one dependent child, one month per year served gratuity?
Sound about right?

Because that seems pretty reasonable.
But on average what are schools actually offering/prepared to pay?

BTW, I'm asking out of general curiosity. I've seen very few openings for my specialism in Kuwait and many of the ISR reports have put me off. I only see it as a potential future work location IF I really had to as it would still be better than returning 'home'(!)

What are good salaries/packages like in Kuwait? (I tried to search here but it wasn't playing ball!) My wife has worked briefly in Kuwait (although not as a teacher nor in schools). She described the experience as Saudi-lite - an ugly country, not very good infrastructure and rather unpleasant, arrogant locals. Do school packages reflect this? The few I have seen in my speciality don't seem to reward the experience and there are a lot of bad school reports here on ISR. So what's the real deal there?

Why bother with TeachAway? I've had the same experience with them and wouldn't waste my time. I can't ever recall even having an acknowledgement from them.

I am in a similar position - and have been previously (in Qatar) - school offered a job depending on me getting a visa and contract is not to be signed until I arrive in country. It is a precarious situation - I am still looking for a better offer. Basically, no contract no real job - so keep looking and if you find something better you aren't breaking contract if you take it instead. That's my opinion. Sure, a lot of jobs are dependent on visas but they still let you sign a contract before arrival albeit dependent on you getting a visa. You should ask to see a draft copy of the contract to see exactly what you are potentially signing on for, stating all benefits and work conditions (calendar, weekly work hours etc).

If I was threatened with murder by my boss I would be gone - when would depend on how serious the threat was. There are more than enough incompetents, clowns, sociopaths, psychopaths, backstabbers, malicious malcontents and perverts on the IS circuit to deal with as it is without having to put up with death threats too. If a school's policies are putting you at risk of the country's laws then get out whilst you can. Why risk it?

Many thanks. Also, I was told by one Head teacher there that to work in a school in Brunei it seems you must be a certified teacher (even for admin/support roles) - otherwise the school can't get a work visa for you.

Many thanks for the replies.

Cannot comment on the school but I have a friend who is currently working in Baku, loves the country and has found it a fascinating experience. I got the impression it would suit adventurous singletons or couples without children more than those with trailing families.

Anyone heard of or had dealings with this recruiter - JAMBO?
How do they make their money? - are they an umbrella recruiter getting a one-off fee from the school or a cut of your monthly salary?

Regarding Saudi, you come for the money and make sure you get the best package possible, ideally with compound accommodation. You have to get compensated for what you have to put up with - the restricted lifestyle, the inflexible culture and general intolerance. Plus, increasingly the ME is becoming unstable and Saudi is no exception - as I write this the army is mobilized on the Yemen border and there have been attacks on the Iraqi border to the north.

I don't think it is a location you look at and say I'll do 5 or 10 years there. You work out how much you need to make, do your time and get out. If I didn't have to be here I wouldn't. If you have a trailing spouse (and small kids) it is ok as flights, visa and accommodation are provided. Being here as a singleton would be rough - single men have it rough, single women rougher still. Non-caucasians can expect racism and discrimination even if they are Muslim. I had a British Somali colleague who was a devout Muslim and our Saudi bosses still treated him terribly.

I would never recommend Saudi Arabia (or Kuwait, based on my wife's experiences there) as locations for your first ME experience - the UAE, Oman, and Qatar are 'easier' experiences.