Korean Job Discussion Forums

[egrog1717]

Okay, the joking in my taco bell thread aside...

Just heard from a friend at another PS (who was told by her handler) that due to an SMOE scandal at the supervisory level in SMOE HQ they no longer had the funds (and were focusing on reorganizing their upper levels) to hire NSETs come August. My friend was told that their school would not be getting a new NSET when they left in August.

Apparently, and again take with a grain of salt as it came via their handler, the supervisors were taking bribes from teachers to put them in choice placements/fast track promotions...

Mind you, such "business practices" don't really surprise me if they've happend (TiK after all)... Just wondering if anyone else's school had let slip that they wouldn't be getting an NSET if you leave come August...

[bcjinseoul]

Well, I once heard from some co-teachers at my last high school gig in GEPIK back in 2008 that EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE was to end in 2010 or 2011. Needless to say, it didn't happen. (Not attacking, btw.) I've heard all kinds of rumors about all kinds of things over the years and most them turned out to be just that...RUMORS.

For what it's worth this thread has caught my interest a tad...

[Tigerstyleone]

Are you looking for a position in August?

[egrog1717]

[egrog1717]

[monkeyteacher]

I am in the process of applying with SMOE for August through Korea Connections and they haven't mentioned anything about this!!!!!! However, I told the recruiter I knew about what happened last August re: 100 teachers' contracts cancelled at the very last minute and I was re-assured that was a one-time SNAFU. Guess we'll all stay tuned.

[Aussiekimchi]

SMOE are no more.
All public schools in Seoul will be filled by EPIK Seoul.
The process should be pretty much the same as other EPIK recruiting processes.
1. Apply to a good looking Aussie recruiter
2. Get an interview
3. Submit visa docs
4. Fly over
EPIK still have not structured the exact processes as yet, but should have everything ready to go for April 1st.

For more information, you can contact Rowan at
www.sleazyrecruitergettingafreeplug.com

[MollyBloom]

Umm..DISH on the SMOE scandal, please! What did you hear?!

[bigclanger3]

Whilst I haven't heard anything to suggest there being a lack of fund to hire new NSETs the "scandal" itself has been widely reported in the media.
As the OP said, teachers (Korean, not NSET) were bribing officials in order to be placed in schools of their choosing.
SMOE officials were accepting these bribes and eventually the rouse was discovered.

I doubt it will affect the NSET program but that is just my opinion.

[mmstyle]

[Triban]

[oldfatfarang]

[egrog1717]

[sulperman]

I do hope this leads to a certain earringed SMOE employee losing his job. That would make me very, very, very happy.

But it is important to remember that SMOE is in charge of all aspects of all schools in Seoul, not just NSETS. The native speakers part is a very small part of a very big organization. SMOE isn't going anywhere, but I could see them passing off the responsibility of hiring foreigners to EPIK or whatever.

[bcjinseoul]

I too have recently heard from some major recruiters on Dave's that EPIK/SMOE are merging ASAP/already. Question is: will GEPIK unite with them too? Will all 3 eventually become 1?