Another important point here is that this was all predicted a couple of years ago, and well advertised on Pprune.
As is usual here, most of the posters who predicted doom and gloom were accused of being doomsayers and glass is half full types. I am in no way trying to say "I told you so" as i fully understand the predicament and sympathise.
What I am saying however, is that there is more than an element of truth to all the bad press EK has been getting recently.
So to all those who are on the outside looking in, please take note and make an informed decision, not one tinted by rose coloured glasses.
For many people coming to the desert, one of their reasons is that it provides a good family life. That is true for many. But I can tell you that the ones who have had to send their kids OS to boarding schools, or otherwise split up their family for education reasons, would not agree.
My advice to anyone who has options, is not to sign the contract until your kids have a confirmed school position that is to your satisfaction, and that you have been told where your accomodation is going to be. They are to two major factors that affect families here.
One thing that I have learned to be true of expat life, is that you must be content with what you start with, because there is very lilttle chance of improvement once you arrive, and significant chance that things will get worse.
dmf