I took a brief break from blogging because firstly - nobody reads this really - so I knew I wouldnt be missed - and secondly , it was turning into a bitch fest ! Well , Ive decided to return to my bitching roots ( If it aint broke dont fix it ) and continue - and boy have a stored up some gripes over the past month or so !

So it has been three months since I started employment at my new job and it seems that getting a visa within that time frame is a little too much for the UAE powers that be to handle.

The arrival of the super efficient KHDA has meant that delays are happening in schools all over the UAE. Now dont get me wrong , I think they are making great tracks in trying to regulate the kinds of teachers who come into this country . I applaud for tyring to overhaul this country's education system - its long overdue. It was about time something was done to make sure that real teachers were in real teaching jobs here. KHDA called in British offsted inspectors to assess the situation - and Im guessing that the following issues had caused reason for alarm - finally ...

I worked for three years in one of the most successful schools here in Dubai - without the public knowing the big secret that the majority of teachers in this school had a previous post in their hometown's Macdonalds and had no business being in a place of education whatsoever. It seems that parents DO see what they want to see , and unfortunately , the arabic population tends to have an unusual approach to education with their children - it really IS survival of the fittest - and believe me , all your ADHD , ADD , autistic , special needs children , will well and truly fall by the way side in a traditionally arabic approach to education . I admire their determination and drive , but its a drive without aim - and therefore does not work for many children , Which is why , I suppose , it was perfectly acceptable to employ westerners because of their accent , as opposed to whether or not they knew anything about basic literacy . They didnt need teachers , they needed academic "bootcampers".

Well , the proof is in the pudding in these particular schools , when you ask these children to answer a question , they will scour a text for you , but will never volunteer and answer of their own estimation . The successful ones in these systems are exceptionally hard workers who , quite frankly would do well anywhere! So , HURRAH for the KHDA for having the foresight to try to overhaul and long festering system . Just please, please , dont force me to break your laws and do visa runs to Oman ! If you are going to over haul the system - make sure you have the facilities to carry it out without disrupting peoples livelihoods.

I will mince my words here slightly and say that I am more than a little disappointed with rejections of degrees and lack of organisation and no explanation for it . Trust me , I am here to work , I enjoy my job , I am hard working and I am exceptionally good at what I do ( hey , if you dont big yourself up , then who is going to ?? ) and , no , while I dont make your country billions of Dhs by my presence, without me and my ilk , you will continue to churn out a handful of genius graduates , and countless others whose potential was needlessly lost in the fierce competition. Its just another chapter in the "Morals of the Dubai Story" book , stop focusing on things being the biggest , the best , the longest , the fastest the snazziest , and get the basics right - before the whole thing collapses under your feet !