About this Site
Welcome, readers! SABIS in the News has a few new articles, and the SABIS Salary section for the upcoming year has been updated. We’ve also received some new information but must check its legitimacy before posting it, as it’s quite damaging.
To submit an article or testimonial, contact us at sabis.stinks[at]gmail.com. Your anonymity is assured.
Other posts are still in the process of being updated. We are also modifying the categories to organize the information a little better. No posts have been deleted, only moved. Thank you for your continued interest.
Welcome to Sabisstinks. This site is an open forum so anyone may participate. The comments section is open to all, whether you have a question about Choueifat, a story regarding your treatment, and especially if you would like to defend it. If you would like to contribute to the site by providing information or a testimonial about your experience with SABIS, please feel free to contact us here by submitting comments / articles.
This site was created for the following reasons:
- To allow present and former SABIS employees to express their opinions about SABIS.
- To collect and collate the vast amount of information we have received and/or assembled from forums, blogs, websites, and news sources about this firm into one cohesive resource for future staff.
- To help people make an informed decision about working for this firm, and in particular the PPP Project.
If you have come to this site looking for general information about SABIS private schools, the majority of this site still applies apart from where PPP is specifically mentioned. This includes: the points system, salary, SLO, Hiring Protocol, Corporate Governance, pacing charts etc. We would like to note that the SABIS Private Sector appears to be a lot more professional than their practices in the PPP Project. This renders the two incomparable in some elements.
A lot of this information on this site is not new to the internet, it is sporadically placed across many forums and blogs. We provide some links to these on the blogroll and through the posted articles. If you wish to contact us directly, please e-mail: sabis.stinks@gmail.com
An excellent site. Its a pit that the Ministry of Education cannot see ALL these comments and start to, at least, address this vile organization.
Jonathan
August 10, 2008
ADEC have seen this site because we informed them. I don’t think it’s much to do with the Ministry as they look after the teachers who work for the UAE government as opposed to the private sector (SABIS).
ADEC have gotten rid of the non qualified teachers from schools so work is being done…. but is it enough?
sabisstinks
August 11, 2008
Again with the sneakiness though… ADEC didn’t specify anything about supporting staff! The teachers this year should be qualified, but that hasn’t stopped SABIS from hiring a buttload of recent graduates as OCs, AQCs, and people in their twenties as RAQCs. I feel so bad for these people. They have no idea what they’re in for. From what I understand, they have a TON of positions still open, too. I hypothesize that this is for two reasons: sites such as this, and the fact that they’re still not offering a decent salary for the job.
wanderingbookworm
August 11, 2008
I am a fully qualified teacher with much experience and was about to apply to Sabis until I found this site. Frightening stuff… db
db
August 24, 2008
I guess that you are either a former student or a present student of the international school of choeuifat due to the vast knowledge you have of the school. If you are in fact one of the two then perhaps you should know that you are disgracing the name of your own school and slimming your chances to get into a good university.
This is also to notify you that if you are an employee or a current student of the international school of choueifat and if the school finds out who you are then forget about getting into a decent university or another good paying university.
Most of the blames put on the school are false and irrational. The teachers receive a decent salary, a free place to live and respect.
I have personal experience of the student life and I can inform you that the choueifat students receive a huge amount of respect in the UAE and other countries. The students are also well behaved compared to other students.
Defender
August 24, 2008
You are very free and welcome to express yourself here, but your attempt to intimidate is decidedly not.
If you would like to respond positively regarding SABIS/Choueifat, please do so by presenting evidence on the relevant post so people can see it and use it to make their decision. You would probably sound more rational if you actually read the posts first and responded with some reportable evidence to back your defense instead of making vague threats regarding universities.
Vague threats, by the way, are quite textbook for SABIS, as we mention here.
Again, friendly information is welcome; aggression and threats are not.
wanderingbookworm
August 25, 2008
I am a graduate of Chouefiat. This is pretty much the most ridiculous site I have ever seen. First of all, if you are wondering why you aren’t getting paid as much as your Western counterparts it may be because of your bad grammar. Your grammar stinks and I can smell it from here. Secondly, you gotta stop hating on Choueifat! Jeez Louise! It got me and around 90% of the students into the universities that we wanted! Defender is right! Do you know how much respect Choueifat has around the world? Maybe if you took your head out of your pooper you would see. You say in your analysis of the “point system” that only the smart students understands what the teacher is trying to say. Well duh! Only a few people in this world can survive the rigour of the SABIS system! If you can’t survive it then just leave and stop hating! It is the students fault! I would know, I am a student myself. I’m not the best student; but I do try! If only students would try and study they would know that true side of SABIS- the wonderful side. It brings people together. SABIS graduates are the best graduates in the world and are the most prepared for university. Seriously, your head is really deep in your pooper. Take it out. Contact me on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/aainhl
I make random Choueifat videos making fun of SABIS in a playful and joking way.
Btw defender I agree with your analysis of this website; but I don’t think you should threaten someone for making this site. Everyone has the right to free speech and I think you should respect that.
aainhl
August 26, 2008
my daughter will be going to yr10 from sept after completing yr9 in choueifat. Just before the holidays while speaking to AQC about the british system I was told that if she was definitely going to a british University, then I should take her out and put her elsewhere!! I was shocked when he went on to say that there was no specific O level structured lessons or self help groups or revisions -although during entry to the school I was told that students concentrate on the british system from yr10 if they wish. They can sit for any board they liked and had to do past papers on their own. while continuing with SABIS till the last day.
IS IT ALL UP TO THE STUDENT TO PREPARE FOR HER O LEVEL? PLS CAN ANYONE WHO HAS SAT/TUTORED GRADE 10/11 HELP ME TO MAKE A DECISION AS TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL OR KEEP HER IN ABU DHABI CHOUEIFAT! SO LITTLE TIME TO DECIDE.
concerned
August 29, 2008
From our understanding, SABIS schools provide education in the English language. They definitely are not British or American curriculum schools (they have the point system to guide them, so they don’t need it). They offer access to take standardized exams, but they do not favor one over the other or help prepare specifically for any of them, generally.
If your goal is to send your child to a British University, perhaps your best options are to send her to a British curriculum school from now on, or if you’ve been happy with her education at ISC thus far, hire a tutor to help your daughter study for these exams separately. The fact that the AQC recommended your daughter’s needs would be better served elsewhere is also something to consider.
Shop around and find out which schools in Abu Dhabi offer what you’re looking for. A quick Google search will produce several sites with lists of international schools. You’ll have a better idea of what would best fulfill your needs.
Best of luck
wanderingbookworm
August 30, 2008
Why oh why does it seem that for every sight which points out or discusses the various issue SABIS there exists individuals calming to be students of this system? I previously taught for SABIS/ISC through out the Middle East. I am also a credentialed teacher in the states currently working as with a well know university as admissions/recruitment counselor. It saddens me greatly the lie and tails which this system feeds parents and the money they take making false promises. I have gone out of my way to assist student coming from the ISC/SABIS system and time and time again they require to attend preparatory language and collegial programs to prepare them for University studies in the western nations. It sincerely breaks my heart in dealing with these students because their parents have been fooled by the SABIS/ISC system into believing that their education and experience will qualify them for university entrance. The sad fact is, time and time again, parents of SABIS/ISC schools end up spending thousands of additional money in paying for their children to be at the level required for international university studies.
concerned admissions/recruitment counselor.
August 31, 2008
It’s sad to see a site that is built almost entirely on bitterness and ill will. Please dont point to the few worrying facts that are posted here ( i guarantee that if you take any group of 50 schools you’ll get many more issues than this – no one’s perfect). Anyway, let me tell you my experience with SABIS, yes as a student i didnt like school (shocker!), but it did give me a great education which got me into Oxford University. While at Oxford i met four other SABIS graduates from different schools(without making specific effort to). I am still in touch with all of them. We are doing very well in our careers, we all give to charity, we all volunteer when we can and all are responsibly raising our families. Of course i am not going to claim that SABIS is responsible for all of this but it certainly never hindered it!
SABIS Graduate
September 1, 2008
Yes, and it’s equally sad that our employment in the first place was based on outright lies and deliberate misinformation. We aren’t just people with nothing better to do. We are people who were hired under false pretenses and wish to warn others who might put themselves in the same situation if there is no easy access to information.
Was this site was founded on bitterness? Perhaps. Ill-will? Not at all. This is here as a resource for people who are considering EMPLOYMENT with SABIS. It is designed to show the extent of SABIS’ corporate corruption and misfeasance, as well as what kind of treatment can be expected as a SABIS employee. It is not designed to be a resource for parents or students.
sabisstinks
September 1, 2008
thanks for this website, i think you have been worked with sabis PPP before, well i do have experience with sabis and am still working with them, what you said is almost right but what can i do, i could not find another job so that i can leave them!!!
trying to be fair
September 3, 2008
Its a very sad state of affairs when you have postings from so-called graduates at Oxford lauding the merits of SABIS. Utter nonsense. Judging by the way the so-called Oxford graduate writes , I very much doubt if his/her Degree was in English. (By the way I am a Cambridge graduate)
The Lebanese mafia (as they are commonly referred to) often post positive comments on these anti-choueifat sites. More and more of these sites are springing up, I suppose they need to hire staff just to patrol the internet!
If you are a rational, logical, decent, ethical human being , realize one thing : Sabis/Interred/Choueifat are corrupt criminals.
I must say, if you actually like SABIS, you must be mentally deranged or Lebanese. I suppose the two go hand in glove.
Keep on kidding yourselves. SABIS is a joke and always will be. Eventually the owner will die and not a day too soon. Then…wait for the vultures…they will circle and peck the business to death. They will all build a statue (like they did for the former owner Saad) and place it in one of their schools. The heir (Mr. S) is just waiting in the wings. He makes the current owner look like a pussy cat, so God help anyone still working there.
Jonathan
September 5, 2008
@Concerned: Here’s the dilemma-You know yourself the situation about lack of space in Abu Dhabi schools at the moment. I would leave your daughter in CHoueifat for now, and get her name on a number of schools’ waiting lists.
Abu Dhabi/UAE Daily Photo
September 5, 2008
Dear Web Creators of SABIS Stinks,
I have been following your web sight and many others since my return from working with ISC-Erbil. What I find so sad and disturbing about SABIS in the Kurdish Region of Iraq is the fact that the Kurds have already been victimized and continues to be so by the lies and greed that this organization spreads. Innocent children and parents are paying the price for their greed and currently there are extremely limited choices of education in the region other than private Turkish ran school that is worse than ISC-Erbil or public education which is a nightmare.
No one in the region, who is in position of power, seems to wants to hear the truth and SABIS continues to spread it abusive ways into another region of the world where there has been enough damage already done to the people of Kurdistan.
We can only hope that ISC/SABIS fails and fails soon or it is forced to change. As I have stated so many times, the likelihood of system which is so intergraded with dysfunction, abusive at the highest levels, a culture of arrogance, a extreme distain for modern educational practices and a complete disregard for truly trained educational staff will not likely change. It will, as so many other businesses or educational systems will fail as parents and governmental officials come to learn of the truth.
Signed,
A former teacher
Carol Ross
September 25, 2008
I just skimmed through the “Sabisspeaks” site. Very poor imitation. I cannot stop laughing at how desperate SABIS must be. This is a blatant propaganda site. Utter nonsense. Perhaps instead of spending time and money on this site they should investigate some of their own directors and AQC’s who are buying new and expensive cars. A former student called me yesterday telling me that the usual payment from students to “lebanese” teachers for exam questions is still going on. My god, some teachers are even buying lexus’s, MR Germanos must be slipping! Doesn’t he realize they are robbing SABIS blind. Bistany, mmmm, keeping your eye off the ball is dangerous!! But when I look at these individuals I am content. Old, decrepit, evil, ugly men. They will die as they live. What goes around comes around.
SABISspeaks is a typical SABIS attempt to try and make
SABIS military High School teacher
September 29, 2008
“The Regional Director of the Sabis Network in the Middle East is Ramzi Germanos. A Palestinian by birth, Ramzi Germanos has anti-semitic tendencies which he frequently alludes to in ‘advising’ sessions held for students. He has questioned the significance and scope of the Holocaust in front of members of staff. Ramzi Germanos employs a dictatorial style of management which ensures that he is despised by the majority of staff and pupils. Staff are sacked, threatened and abused on a regular basis, and Germanos frequently talks dismissively of staff in front of pupils.
One other controversial aspect of the school curriculum is the emphasis placed on severe competition, as well as glorifying success at any cost (As may be demonstrated in the school-issued biography of Genghis Khan, which is customary reading material for middle-school students). There are also the relatively brutal tactics employed by disciplinary staff, such as confiscation of any electronic items, harsh punishments ascribed to misdemeanors (such as suspension for an argument between students in class), and the pseudo-draconian measures employed to enforce the dress code. Despite these rules, though a few may say because of them, students who take external examinations such as Edexcel A-levels or Collegeboard APs frequently score very highly, though this may also be attributed to the practice of inflating scores employed by the school (where poorly-performing students are restricted from doing an exam).”
SABIS military High School teacher
September 29, 2008
I’ve been attending the International School of Choueifat-Cairo for the past 12 years. During those 12 years, I have gained and achieved a lot. Although people could say all they want about it, Choueifat has been a true second home to me, and has always helped me achieve my goals (I got a 800 in SAT Math IIC, a 790 in SAT Physics, and a 740 in Math Sat I and I don’t get very high scores in school [15-16]). Although the “ship has some cracks,” I believe that all do have their weaknesses. I have never, during my academic career at Choueifat, seen a teacher get disrespected or “abused” by any head or high-ranking staff member as we have a very honorable Director. Moreover, during my time, I have found comfort in the fact that, although there are some people I dislike, I can go to my favorite teachers, including my director, who have been “second parents.” The Sabis system, I believe, creates a tight-knit community, where people tend to depend on each other, which I believe is an integral part of academic development. When I leave for MIT next year I will hold all the great memories and experiences that were revolved around Choueifat.
Abdel-karim.
Abdel-karim Moharram
November 22, 2008
Dear Abdel-Karim
I am pleased that you feel Choueifat has helped you. I know the director of the schools in Egypt. I had the misfortune of working with him and his psychotic wife in the UK in a school funded by the Emirati government. ( SABIS UK operations are actually bankrupt which is documented in company house in the UK) Considering you are a student, you seem to write in the same way as a teacher! How strange! Maybe I am a born skeptic, but you seem like another Choueifat/SABIS stooge.
Choueifat/SABIS schools are a disgrace and if you are truthfully attending MIT you will soon discover that Choueifat has certainly not prepared you. It is utter nonsense that this system prepares students for the “real” academic world. If you are a student I feel so sorry for you. SABIS should have been closed down years ago.
I have worked for SABIS and I KNOW that teachers are disrespected. The management team ( and that is a joke as they do not even comprehend what real management is) is a group of individual hell-bent on “profit” over quality. I still cannot believe that the Arab world is still so behind. Its shameful. Bistany will never change. His mentality is set in stone.
God help you ….you will soon discover the reality. (thats if you are really a student)
Joseph
November 25, 2008
Mangement… there is a term for some laughter.
Before getting into this whole ‘is this site rubbish or not debate’ or ‘I am a bitter employee’ argument, let me clarify something. Before deciding to take some time and experience something different and teaching in a SABIS school, I was the Chief Sub Editor for 8 newspapers. Ie: I myself was a manager.
Recently, I was told that due to an administration error, my salary was not paid into my account. The account number was not recorded correctly at the head office. Ok, this happens, we are all human.
FIVE days into the month and I still have not been paid. I was told no more than two days will be required to fix the error. No problem – irritating yes, but not the end of the world. The third day came and despite an irate call to my director, still no salary. This is now the fifth day and still I have no money.
In short, this is how things are working: the ‘director’ of my school is not, in actual fact, a director. He has no command authority. This is clear as I have not even been paid by my own school until the funds are returned from the bank.
Also, important to remember, and help me out here folks – if an employee has worked each day of the month, no time off for anything, should he/she not be paid at the end of the month? My actual question now is this: is it ethical to make the employee wait for his/her money for an error that was not of their doing? I’ll let you decide.
I have spun a number of stories, from the banks being closed to waiting for the bank to contact the accountant with the relevant information. And still I wait.
To those who are supportive of SABIS – please explain this scenario to me, help me to be more understanding and patient.
To the rest, know this: the teachers do not matter and your needs/queries will not be answered.
Furthermore, any advice to help find a speedy resolution to this matter would be most welcome. Nothing I have tried seems to have any effect.
Regards,
Almost Disgruntled.
Dude
December 5, 2008
Greetings to one and all,
Just an update: even with the correct account number in front of him, my director has gone and given the wrong account number to the accountant’s office – resulting in me still not being paid.
The first time the wrong account number was recorded, I was blamed. This time there is proof that I am not at fault – my director cannot even read an account number that is in front of him and thus, HE is to blame. His response when confronted by me regarding this: “Well, I don’t want to get involved with this”.
A bit late now, wouldn’t you think?
Dude
December 8, 2008
It’s ALWAYS the employees fault. SABIS are never to blame. YOU are the one who causes problems! HOW DARE YOU speak up against them after they give you this job?
This is the attitude of SABIS, their ethos, their culture i.e. covering up incompetence, BLATANT incompetence and think people are stupid enough not to see what they get up to.
fireglo
December 9, 2008
By they way, none of the Choueifat staff have been
to PPP schools. Almost all the staff are new from
US, Canada, South Africa and the Middle East (Jordan).
Mr. XXX
December 30, 2008
That’s absolutley right, “a complete disregard for truly trained educational staff will not likely change
in SABIS”.
Mr. XXX
December 30, 2008
I thought SABIS was supposed to be independently run….
IFC’s investment in SABIS®in 2005 was related to the new SABIS®International School
in Adma, Lebanon. SIS-Adma was a greenfield elementary and secondary school
designed to accommodate 1,700 students. IFC invested $8 million towards the new
facilities which have become both the flagship school and international headquar-
ters of SABIS®. IFC has also provided advice to SABIS®in its efforts to build a sound
family business governance structure. Here are some quotes”
Where did this money go? Answer: In the back pockets of these greedy people. People we should petition the IFC and inform them where there $8 million went. I implore the creators of this website to do so. I will be the first to support any such decision. This organization MUST be stopped.
I am not amused
January 4, 2009
IFC’s Role in lending more money to SABIS (Although they maintain they are independently run!!! Ha ha what a joke that is) $ 26 Million to construct a school in war torn Lebanon. Why don’t the Saad’s sell some of their swindled assets?
- Provide long-term funding to a mid-sized education provider: By providing a long-term loan, IFC would provide financial support that is not easily accessible to the sponsors. Although the local banking community considers the sponsors an attractive client and are willing to lend to the project, they are not able to provide money of sufficient maturity to match the longer build up periods associated with a school project.
- Positive Signal: IFC’s role in this project will send a signal to foreign investors that it is possible to finance feasible projects in Lebanon despite perceptions of high country risk.
I am not amused
January 4, 2009
Sabis doesn’t stink!
Choueifat, a school in the Sabis system, is the best school I have ever been to and I have been to at least 7 different schools around the world!
sabis supporter
January 12, 2009
where do you guys get these misleading information from? Your back pockets? Or your hatred has blinded you into the hole? SABIS schools might be expensive, but at the end of the day , your kids will enjoy a high level of education compared to other schools in Lebanon where some students reach year 12 and don’t know to distinguish “were” from “where”. Thank you.
SANTO
February 2, 2009
I went to a Choueifat school in the UAE all the way from kindergarten through to 12th grade, & am now studying at a top UK university
Choueifat taught me a few very important lessons: * How to bullshit
* How to cram for exams
* How to face someone I utterly despise with a blank face (thank you supervisors!)
To be honest, Choueifat’s brutal exam system got me into university, but the school system itself is utterly corrupt. The one great thing about my school experience is meeting so many amazing students and friends. Also there is that lovely common bond shared between most Choueifatis in the world: utter disgust and loathing of the school’s basic principles. (Remember the attempted brainwashing sessions that masqueraded as ‘Advising’ lessons?)
So, thanks SABIS!
xoxo
sashsash
February 3, 2009
well this is a pretty good site
from what i hear though isc started out as a pretty good group of schools but then it just started going downhill since like 2002.
Every year a new director comes to the school. None of them seem to stay over a year,even the really good director from Canada left. i guess he couldn’t bare looking at germanos any longer.This year though we were all punished with the coming of kisees who made everyones life a living hell (even the parents cant stand him and thats a fact!).Now back to germanos,i recently noticed that he seems to run the school the same way hitler ran **** germany,every week he gets the younger children and sits them down then he starts brainwashing them with utter nonsense about choueifat(Hitler used to get the kids of germany like once a month to camps and let them listen to his insane ideas but he never used to tell them the negative side the same way germanos acts)I HOPE BOTH GERMANOS AND KISEES LEAVE ASAP BECAUSE THE LITTLE KIDS DONT HAVE TO SUFFER!
p.s:dont bother finding out who i am because im graduating this year and by the time you track me i shall be long gone:D
Minor editing done by moderator
to0or
February 22, 2009
i realy dont know what to make of all the
comments re sabis
i have been asked to have a phone interview
with them re employment as a teacher
now i am looking at info from people who have
worked for them as teachers
peter
February 23, 2009
Peter, research, read and learn the truth about SABIS. Do a search on Daves ESL cafe and take all the experiences of the teachers and former teachers into account. If you still desire to sign a contact and enter the hell world of SABIS at the very least you will know what you are in for. SABIS is what it is and as teachers we have two choices, to accept it and move on or to not work for them because we know personally it is not worth our time and energy dealing with their BS. One thing to remember is that no matter what they tell you or what your contract says SABIS will change it if they so desire. For the SABIS system teachers are nothing more than a living bag of bones. They have already attempted to do away with teachers by having student shadow teachers.
beentheredonethat
March 1, 2009
LOL this is hilarious
(Y)
F*CK SABIS
Nounes
March 10, 2009
SABIS ROCKS,YOU STINK.
but i have to admit ****a is a *****
moderator edited for abusive language towards commenter
ioana hater
March 24, 2009
@concerned admissions/recruitment counselor:
I am a Sabis student, and believe I am fit for university, as a nearly aced all my external exams. What university are you from? (BTW, I am applying to about 18 colleges in the states). I don’t know why everyone on this site is paranoid, thinking that everyone her who is claiming to be a student is in fact a administrator.
AK
March 25, 2009
Oh please. You are going to study in the US!
What an achievement! Please I cannot stop laughing. Let me educate you….MONEY=Education in the good ole US of A. Sorry, no offense to my American friends. But come on…what has the world become when snotty-nosed students actually think they have achieved something when they “ace” a test. Tell that to Einstein and other “greats” in history. Oh by the way, I am a Cambridge graduate first class degree…and so what! I know full well that some of the greatest minds in history never even went to University. Let me give you a piece of advice “student of SABIS world” when you leave and actually have a life then you will truly realize that Choueifat did you NO favours, they have actually handicapped you for life! Truthfully most SABIS graduates and I use the word “graduate” very very loosely as they live very insignificant lives. How very sad. Imagine actually believing the propaganda that spews from SABIS…and you say you “aced” a test!! What a joke. Let me ask you a question: “why is sabis so hated?” Discuss. Be careful you might not know how to actually write an essay unless you follow the points system.
Peter
March 30, 2009
@Peter,
Yeah, no kiddin. If anyone needs proof that money can buy most things, just remember George W. Bush went to YALE.
@AK
As an American who’s gone through the US university system and worked in the SABIS system, you’re not ready. I’m sorry, you’re not. Going to university means being able to think critically on your own and doing a lot of research and studying on your own without guidance (especially if you’re pursuing science, engineering or medicine). Generally, you’re not ready to think outside the box, and you’ll be expected to do so. In Europe you’re expected to be even more independent.
Don’t lose heart, though. A lot of people have no idea what to expect from university, regardless of their background. It’s hard, but for me it was a very positive experience and unbelievably rewarding. University is still the hardest, but happiest part of my life. Unfortunately for you, SABIS “prepares” you to take the exams and then doesn’t give a sh*t what happens to you after that. They have your parents’ money, so they have no more use for you. Essentially they’ve given you a book on how to swim to prepare you before you’re dropped into a lake. Well, the lake that you chose and were accepted by. It will be up to you to sink or swim.
It also seems like there are a lot of “Cambridge” and “Oxford” graduates commenting here, supposedly. There are other universities, and a lot of them are excellent in their own right. I didn’t go to either of them, but I got an extremely good education. The name doesn’t mean anything. Look at the Yale graduate mentioned above.
stephshimkooo
April 5, 2009
I agree with the majority of your comments except the last. I am afraid to tell that the “name” of a University does count. i am afraid to tell you that most employers are fickle and I can assure you that if you have a graduate from Cambridge versus the University of Mickey Mouse, the Cambridge grad will always get the job. Sorry but statistics prove this. People are impressed by names…that is why Armani is so popular even though it might not necessarily be as good as other brands.
Peter
April 5, 2009
Fair point. I just notice that people only post the university they attended if it was a really famous name (read expensive), as if all other universities aren’t worth mentioning, you know? I went to the University of Pittsburgh, which most people don’t know is rated as one of the top 100 Universities globally consistently. I didn’t really have any idea of it myself, especially since they don’t price gouge you, until a classmate there told me that her husband, who went to UPenn, waited and was rejected three years in a row to get into their medical program. It’s where they discovered the polio vaccine and did the first child organ transplants.
Just an example of one of those in-between schools that seems to get no mention when talking about going to college.
stephshimkooo
April 6, 2009
I have been offered a position at a SABIS school in Lebanon. I will be involved in the SLO. Initially at one school and then the region. So far I have been treated very professionally and with respect. Therefore after reading this blog I find the negative comments confusing and contradicting what i have so far experienced. What would you recommend ?
Alex
April 11, 2009
Well, I have almost completed a year with Sabis. I was not a teacher by profession, but a social educator. I am not renewing my contract. The school I am in has extreme disciplinary problems. This year, over 15 teachers left the school during the year. Two supervisors quit. Management can’t seem to comprehend that there is an issue. I recommend that anyone considering working for Sabis look elsewhere.
Fedupwithitall
April 14, 2009
What can say? Just that I know exactly how you feel. SABIS are scum. You are much better off out of their organization. Good luck!
Peter
April 21, 2009
SABIS LOL IT’S A BIG JOKE, THERRE IS AN OLD EGYPTIAN STATEMENT WHICH SAY ” Min barra halla halla wmin gowwwa ye3lamallah”. X employee for 5 years in a senior position
Alex
April 28, 2009
I am a currently enrolled student at Sabis, and I love to say that this website is very true as I’ve had a few of my teachers truly speak about the school to me.
Great work !
Love to see that someone raises awareness xD
Micky
April 30, 2009
I have been offered a position at the school in Erbil. Where can I find some posts by current and former employees? I almost want to take this job just to report on the working situation.
Named My Cat God....
May 9, 2009
Anyone have any info on working in the academic development side of SABIS (i.e. not actually in schools)?
Kath
May 13, 2009
There is a testimonial about Erbil under the testimonials category. There’s a link there to a Magifunk article as well.
We dont’ have anyone posting here from the head office. That’s where all the decisions are made. There’s the mothership in Lebanon and another “head office” in Abu Dhabi. They’re mostly snug in their jobs and aren’t very qualified. We don’t know many serious educational organizations that spell “hello” with an A.
sabisstinks
May 13, 2009
man choueifat amman stinks so bad, last week we had to compensate every single exam cancelled due to snow days,we had about 10 exams that week includin 4 ams, 4 periodics,the supplementary and the termpaper. man the director didnt to anything about that when we complained nor our AQC,man I really have to move to another school but where?…
S.S
May 19, 2009
choueifat is a waste of time… our teachers are tardy.. we at least have one free lesson a day due to sick teachers,and I hate the idea of the unholy “Discipline Sheet” we flush it,burn it ,rip it throw it away. the whole concept of the discipline sysytem of sabis sucks.I cant imagine a week without at least one detention for a missing pen or urgg… it so unfair, .well it is the final days of the torment, hang in their guys its just a matter of time until we graduate iam in the 8th grade in a choueifat school and I discovered some subjcets we have are taken by the 11th graders in other special schools in the country.
your cellmate
May 19, 2009
I have a story to tell about a horrible event that happened not long ago by a choueifat school in the middle east,the school announced a camping-hiking trip to a dessert valley somewhere in the country (it was a ripp-off it costed about 150$ for a stay at 3star hotel for one night!)
but nearly everybody in the 8th and the 7th grade went INCLUDING me,so when we arrived there, we all were sent were to our rooms, that night the supervisor promised us to visit each other in the other rooms but they didnt allow us, what a prorpaganda!they made a curfew, we didnt follow it and sneaked out had conversations played cards,ipods,sneaked on the girls… the big day arrived we all woke up on 6am and started constantly hiking in petra on 7am…until 4pm when we entered the last valley called the shadow valley,as upon we entered their we knew that there was no cell phone reception in the area… so what could possibly go wrong..it was a hard one and I was with the ones in the lead…we were supposed to return from the valley by 7.30pm but we found that the way was blocked by falling rocks due to rainfall last week,so the guide told us to come back the way we came ,we all were exhausted,we could see the parking area’s light from there, we tried to call for help but no one listened so one of our classmates climbed the highest place he could get on until he got cellphone reception and called 911….it was getting dark and only few brough battery light torches, we couldnt see anything, and worse the people that are still far in the back didnt know anything about it…any way the help arrived on 8pm and we where cheerful until they told us to go back on foot,we were thristy and exhausted but we made it anyway with few injured and people suffering asthma attacks from the dusty dessert wind…we came out in abotut 10.30pm and got back home on 1am…parents were worried and scared aboutus, 2 students went to the hospital due to athma attacks, sunstrokes and exhaustion. the next day the school didnt do anything about it as if nothing happened not even an apology,most of the parents were upset espicially the ministers and the officials that sent their kids there… the school wrote an article in the newspaper thanking the police and the Public Security ,but leaving the studets out of it ,we were furious,and the article by the police stated that choppers and humvees were sent to rescue us but it was a lie we hiked our way out of there….A TRUE STORY BY YOUR CELLMATE “S” OF CHOUEIFAT,AMMAN
your cellmate
May 19, 2009
how would you know sabis is this bad?????
Surprisesurprise
June 3, 2009
The fact that you even ask this question indicates an inability to read.
If you can indeed read, I suggest you do so. This “about” page that you have posted on tells you how we know. For crying out loud, READ THE COMMENT ABOVE YOURS! All the information on this site is either from reputable news sources (supporting articles) or accounts of personal experiences with this company, as stated in the above post.
wanderingbookworm
June 6, 2009
I am considering applying to a teaching position with SABIS in Erbil. I read through many of the posts, and it seems there is a history of SABIS treating teachers badly.
I am wondering though, has anyone on this site who has been a teacher with SABIS had experience with them changing the salary stipulated in the contract or not paying you in full? Otherwise put, at the end of the day did you get your money?
Follow-up question: Does anyone know any alternative work opportunities or places to look for jobs in Erbil besides SABIS for English speakers?
Larry
June 11, 2009
Hello all,
Might seem like a silly Q:
Did anyone have a problem bringing their cats/dogs with them to the school accommodation?
Worried
June 15, 2009
You are not allowed to have any pets of any kind in your accommodation, which will be shared.
sabisstinks
June 15, 2009
Thank you! We’ve mentioned some of the funny munny stuff they do in the “SABIS infractions of UAE law,” but we didn’t really write it out. We should get on that.
If you miss any days, they will deduct a ridiculous amount from you, something equal to 1/180 of your entire yearly salary for each day you miss. They argue that this is because that’s how many days you’re working per year. However, when they pay you your bonus, they decide that each day is worth 1/365 of your salary. To illustrate the difference, For a monthly salary of 7,000 dirhams, each day of work you miss (even with permission!) that doesn’t involve a doctor’s excuse will cost you 466 Dirhams/day. When they have to PAY you your bonus at the end of the contract, suddenly each days is worth 230 Dirhams/day. Sneaky sneaky.
We here at SS tend to think that each day should be worth the same amount.
Sorry, we don’ know much about the teacher market in Kurdistan.
sabisstinks
June 15, 2009
Isn’t just possible that some employees, students and parents are happy with SABIS.The world is not just as you see it. If you can prove that the website SABISSpeaks was posted by SABIS themselves lets see it. If not you are just spreading rumours and gossip like all the others.
SABIS
June 20, 2009
For the vast majority of parents getting their children into university is their priority. Having their child developed into a well rounded invidual is a bonus but never an alternative. In the eyes of those parents SABIS would be seen to have failed their child if it did not get into university. So you dont like hard work, uniform and opinionated people. Tough.
SABIS
June 20, 2009
The Middle East is well behind the western view of education. In some countries more than others where changes are on their way. But then again other countries too are well behind in that they still rely on rote learning and memorisation. Should a company sell a product that the local market is not ready for or does not want just because you consider it superior?
SABIS
June 20, 2009
I worked in school where pay day was quoted in my contract as the 7th of each month – one month I did not get my money until the 20th. I have see some people’s salary get bounced from one bank to another and in reality they were paid a month late. But given there are over 4000 empoyees paid monthly we are talking about an error rate of less than 1% which is not too bad unles it is you.
SABIS
June 20, 2009
Yes you can have pets. One person I knew (personally – not heard from him who told her etc..) had a dog with him. Don’t listen to others.
SABIS
June 20, 2009
The local labour laws determine deduction from salary for absence. In one country I know it is 1/30th if you do not have a madical certificate. If you do its paid.
SABIS
June 20, 2009
This is all entertaining stuff. Coming from a very different educational culture in the UK where children were brought up to be free thinkers and use their initiative, I found this very interesting. The only thing that disturbs me is the racial comments about Lebanese. Yes, the government and some Lebanese people are corrupt. But not all are corrupt. Lebanon has some very good progressive schools which are not SABIS based and their management not corrupt.
Otherwise, I’m glad there is a space for all involved to share their experiences. Don’t blame the students, they do not know any different.
Xee
June 21, 2009
SABIS Amman realy stinks the admins are group of gang the choueifat school is down falling .grade 123 are in the hands of an ignorant teacher who doesnt have a clue at all .i took my three children out of the school and i dont advice anyone to put his children in such unprofissional school.
Majda
June 23, 2009
I am sick to death of this company! They really are scum! Liars, cheats, frauds and above all some of the worst people I have ever met in my life. In response to SABIS comments..YES I CAN PROVE that SABISspeaks is propaganda..They have pictures of their own staff posted you moron!
If you like SABIS you have a serious mental problem! They are criminals end of story. I despise them, I curse them daily and I hope that fecking loser GErmanos gets a serious illness and dies a lingering death! HE is pure EVIL, SATAN and that midget dwarf Bistany is scum, sick, twisted!
I am not amused
June 24, 2009
lame site. no point in even trying…the school
doesnt care…its not gettin through to em anyways…
lala
June 25, 2009
…theres actually no point of it…
neither the school nor da students care…
btw..i guess its normal for working people (teachers) to hate their work and children (students) to hate their school…DUH!!
lola lala
June 25, 2009