Experience - Teacher Jeddah Knowledge International School Employee Review

The salary is decent compared to some other schools in the region. There are some genuinely supportive and hardworking colleagues who make day-to-day work more manageable. The staff compound and maintenance team are well managed, and accommodation standards are generally good.

The work environment can be extremely toxic, depending on whether you work within PYP or MYP/DP. Management lacks transparency, and staff are generally expected to follow instructions without input or discussion. Leadership needs major restructuring. Some members of management have been in position for over 20 years and appear completely resistant to change or improvement. Academic standards are questionable. Student results are often artificially inflated, and many students who should realistically fail are pushed through regardless. Student behaviour is one of the school’s biggest issues. There is little to no effective behaviour management system, and poor behaviour is frequently ignored or indirectly encouraged by leadership. Professional development opportunities are minimal and mostly limited to basic online TES courses. There is very little opportunity for internal promotion, as leadership positions are almost always filled externally. Teaching and learning are constantly disrupted. Students regularly wander corridors, sit in toilets, visit the canteen, or leave class with little accountability. Staff are frequently required to attend weekend events or training sessions where they are often expected to simply stand around for appearances. Complaints from students are handled poorly. A single email complaint can quickly lead to disciplinary action against teachers, without proper investigation. The owner of the school is widely viewed as unprofessional, disrespectful, and lacking basic etiquette in interactions with staff. Some members of administration, particularly within MYP/DP, are rude, unprofessional, and lack the qualifications or leadership skills expected for their roles.

transportation to and from the school is provided and generally reliable, it does little to offset the overall negative experience.

This is one of the most toxic workplaces I’ve experienced. Staff are consistently overworked, undervalued, and spoken to in a demeaning manner. There is no respect for teachers’ time or professionalism—just constant pressure and unrealistic expectations. The owner’s behavior is a major issue. Shouting at employees and public humiliation seem to be normalized, creating a culture of fear rather than leadership. Management is largely unqualified and appears to be selected based on personal relationships and image rather than any real educational background or leadership competence. Some individuals in senior roles have little to no relevant experience, which shows in the way the school is run. There is also a clear emphasis on appearances, including hiring certain staff for show rather than substance, which negatively impacts both standards and morale. Staff turnover is extremely high—every year, large numbers of employees leave, and many later regret ever joining. That alone should tell you everything. The accommodation provided is outdated and has a poor reputation, with ongoing concerns about safety and living conditions. Overall, there is nothing positive to highlight here. Avoid at all costs unless you are prepared for a stressful and demoralizing experience.