Teaching - QP Dukhan English school

My god. I used to live in Dukhan in Qatar. When i was young, my dad was a doctor (A Medical Officer) for QGPC. we lived near the sports club beside the valley. This town is absolutely brilliant. I was about 8/9 when i lived there, and i'm 18 now. I would love to go back there to see my old house!

And I went to Dukhan English Speaking School, (i think thats what it was called back then). It's a pretty good school as far as i can remember. The teaching system is a bit different to the Irish System that i'm used to. I learnt alot about native americans for some reason. As a teacher, i think you'd like it. Its like heaven over there; palm trees everywhere, weather is amazing, sports centre is good. Although i do remember one thing about the sports centre: It used to be run by a scottish guy, but when i was there, it was a bought by an arab and he wouldn't allow under 13s into the club. That was a bit of a downer. but apart from that, its pretty good. The place is very relaxed and there are loads of people from different places, (Ireland, England, USA, India, Pakistan, Saudi, Qatar etc...).

That was 10 yrs ago so maybe its different now. But as far as i can remember its great. And the schools good too. :D

Regarding the head. I live in Dukhan and work at the school and have done so for several years. I have also worked in many other schools, some with good heads, some horrific idiots. The head was brought in to lead the school into a new era. It has very fast changed from a 50 pupil primary school to an almost 1,000 pupil school for 4-18 year olds. Obviously he had to make unpopular decisions and the staff were disgruntled and unhappy but things are different now, these things take time.

He is certainly a strong head, he is in many ways autocratic and demands 110 per cent from the staff. He is not a bully nor does he take a dislike to a person and make their lives difficult. He isn't afraid to be direct and tell people if he doesn't like what they are doing. That doesn't make him a brute. There are a few people who don't like him, but on the whole he is accepted and respected.

Also, his role is executive within QP, he isn't a high profile head who is always in the staff room. He is out some of the time and recruiting twice a year. Most of the day to day stuff is done by the deputies and the bursar. In fact, if you wanted to avoid him, there's no reason why you would have to see him at all except in assembly once a week.

Lastly, I have never worked in a school where there hasn't been a faction who are anti the head. I am not saying he is perfect but remember there are 100 teachers at the school, how many really hate him?  

Just send me a private message....

click on my name

scroll down and click on 'send private message'

the press... is it recent etc....

yes .. how can give me ur web address ??

"Dukhan English Speaking School are under QP" - Yes. They are going to build a brand new one very soon.

Al Jinnan Recreation Centre(JRC) - Demolished partailly and Re- designed as a very modern structue. under late stage of construction now.

Dukhan Water Sports (DWS) - This the old one. There is a brand new one being built next to the old one which includes a fantastic water slide for children.

As I said Coffee cup...send me a private message if you want more info.

Check TES... I am sure they once had a thread about it.

There have been letters in the press here about the school.

Dukhan English Speaking School are under QP no?

Thanks ORYX... well I am not still a teenager however I dont like to live miles from civilisation and some social contact and to leave the country now and again.

Interesting about what you said about the Head however I think there may well be a new one now... any further information would be useful ... thanks

I have heard terrible things about the headmaster in Dukhan and terrorising the teachers.

Check and google... I am sure there have been threads on the internet about it.

It depends coffeecup a little on your age and how you enjoy socialising.

PM if u like... my friend knows several teachers there and I can find out more info if u like.

How would a single teacher suite the life in Dukhan as from what I have heard it seems more of a family environment ?  any information would be appreciated.

Sorry, bit random. It's the Dukhan English School?

And of course, you're right.

Where is this???

You can't teach experience...

Just had interview for English job in D English School. Hopefully find out by Friday if I have it...(am crossing everything I own!) Would be coming out with my 6 year old twins in Jan..(I'm single)

Wondering what teaching/ living there is like? Do people tend to go to Doha for the weekends? Thanks..:)

To my understanding, there is no dress code for teachers. Any respectable under the knee dress will do. Same as it is done in any western country :)

Thanks for all of you who have taken time to submit comments. Greatly appreciated. The facilities sound absolutely brilliant, appreciate that it will be like living in a small village, but not too worried about that as have done this in UK for the last twenty years. In fact, I'm really getting excited about this new job - will be really upset if I'm not successful. While writing, perhaps somebody could tell me about dress code at work (particularly teaching) for women.

But about if it is open for all then I will have to check on that, as I know it's open for QP staff n for anyone knowing someone in a high rank in dukhan ;)

Sorry I mis-understood you about the clubs, I thought it was open to all.

Thanks,

The latest list. I did not go to Dukhan for like a yr so maybe few new things have been developed there.

Dukhan Recreation Centre (DRC)

A senior staff leisure center that provides multirecreational facilities incorporating swimming pool, tennis courts, snooker/billiards room, volley ball/basketball courts, children's playground, Library, Computer games, Internet café and a multipurpose hall and stage for hosting live entertainment. The Recreation Center is also equipped with a modern fitness center.

Jinnan Recreation Centre(JRC)

The purpose built center provides cultural, sporting, social and recreational facilities to all QP employee level staff and their families. JRC has a volleyball/basketball court, tennis court, cricket field, a gymnasium, Ladies wing, snooker/billiards room, library, internet café, football ground, swimming pool, children's play ground, multipurpose hall with stage for hosting live entertainment.

Dukhan Golf Course (DGC)

18 hole Golf Course foe Senior staff employees provided with a clubhouse, kitchen, change rooms, barbecue area and children's play ground, viewing gallery, kit stores etc.

Dukhan Water Sports (DWS)

Located on the beach 5 Km from Dukhan Township -provides sailing, fishing diving and joy rides etc for senior staff employees and their families. It includes a clubhouse, boat shed, change rooms, BBQ area, a beautiful beach with swimming area and court for beach games.

Cinema and Sports Complex

Houses 600-seat cinema with stage for live entertainment facilities. Shows a variety for live entertainment facilities, shows a variety of Arabic, English and Indian films for all QP staff and their families. It also incorporates a squash court and a badminton court.

Pomsquared, Dukhan has it's own life, golfclub, beach and social club.

I was a member of the golf & beach clubs for many years and am sure that you will enjoy the life although it's a bit like UK village life.

The teachers and people over there are friendly and I am certain will make you very welcome.

If you play (or take up) golf, as many of the teacher newcomers do, you will be well on the way to integration.

Hello Jassim,

out of curiosity, where are the clubs in Dukhan, please. I have not been there since a couple of months and would like to go for a drive there and see the changes, and maybe visit the clubs.

I liked the changes I saw the last time I was there, and feel since the first Qatar well head is there, the place needed renovation and clean up.

I remember vaguely, when we were kids, our parents used to take us there to the beach and then bath, meals and a quick nap at a friends house in the compound and then the adults had their share of fun with the happy drinks.

Regards,

Dukhan is a small city but it has a good multinational community, clubs (Nice ones with good food sold for a small price), a nice beach n all u need. Yes it is not like Doha but I don't think u will have an issue there. Accommodation is good with new flats just been built, owned by QP n offered to staff at no charge (At least u will not get in the renting hassle which is a big hassle in Doha these days). Salary in QP is good compared to other working places n yes u may need a car if u wanted to go outside Dukhan, as the city is so small that everything is a walking distance.

For information about Qatar then u may go to www.qatar.net.qa n look at the useful site link in the bottom of the website. U will find mach information there. N for sure check the posts in this site :)