International teachers flock to Doha jobs fair

TEACHING PROWESS: Teachers from across the world are arriving in Doha this week to sign up to work at the international schools in the Gulf state of Qatar. (Getty Images)

Teachers from across the world are flocking to Doha this week to take part in a recruitment fair for more than 10 select international schools, it was reported on Saturday.

More than 100 teachers from different parts of the world, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan will be attending Qatar’s two day international recruitment event.

The high level of interest in the jobs fair, which is the first of its kind, has been put down to the global economic crisis, which is forcing teachers to seek opportunities abroad, according to a report in Qatar daily, The Peninsula.

“Due to Qatar’s ongoing expansion projects in the hydrocarbon sector and its added emphasis on the education sector , a large number of professionals from the western countries are coming to Doha, increasing the demand for more quality schools in the country,” said Andrew Spinks, Managing Director of Globalinks Tutors, which is running the conference.

Spinks, who has been in the business of international teacher recruitment for 30 years, said this was the first time an international teachers’ recruitment agency had held a recruitment fair in Doha.

“The response is really amazing. As you know, the biggest challenge facing schools today is that of teacher recruitment and staff retention,” he added.

“For teachers, it is the problem of accessing high-quality vacancies from reputable employers. We provide an essential link between schools, teachers, tutors and students, from all over the world”.

More than 10 international schools in Doha will meet the teachers and will have an opportunity to take a tour of their favourite schools.

Many schools in the UK have made major cuts in their annual budget and there is also a trend in the UK to hire cheaper, younger teaching staff.

Qatar has recently seen a series of international schools opening, with The Outstanding Schools Oversight Committee (OSOC) of the Supreme Education Council (SEC) holding discussions with three more international schools.

These have included Sherborne School (UK), Shady Side Academy (USA), and the Dubai American Academy ahead of each opening branch campuses in Doha in the next academic year.

The OSOC has plans to open two to three private international schools each year over the coming three to five years.

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