Job Discussion Forums

[tofuman]

Does anyone know for sure just how much money a school receives from the government for having FTs around?

I have tried to get out of my contract but the school will not release me. Considering that they know that I despise them, the only reason I can figure for keeping me around is money. I figure they get so much from the government and the less they spend on me, the more they can keep for themselves. That explains, to some extent, the reason they like to deprive us of our due, as specified in the contract. Our "due" becomes theirs.

Any factual information would be appreciated. This is not relevant to the various and sundry shady operators, but primarily to government schools, and perhaps, respectable private universities and colleges, if there are any.

Thanking you in advance for your wisdom, knowledge, and experience, I remain, faithfully yours,

Tofuman

[laodeng]

I think that in China, you're dou4 fu ren2, although, in actuality, we're all da4 bian4 so far as they are concerned. Cheers.

[struelle]

I've pretty much kept my nose out of these kind of things in the past - I figure that the schools are getting subsidies, but it's hard to pinpoint the amounts, or if they relate to FTs at all. At any rate, for public schools, the admin department holds the real power, and there is much guanxi with Party officials, as an astute senior student pointed out to me last year. That's where the real money comes from, and foreign teachers have little effect on these internal affairs except to give the school face.

For private schools, the FT also gives the school face, but there's a more direct connection with the school getting extra cash from parents who sign their kids up to classes because a foreigner is teaching.

In both cases, I'd imagine the 'face factor' to be a big reason why the schools don't want to release you from your contract. It could also be sponsorship, that the school officials feel they are responsible for your well-being in China, in return, you have an obligation to carry out the contract and serve your masters.

As difficult as it sounds and as absurb as their "logic" is, though, I'd suggest toughing it out and finishing the contract. If nothing else, you learn how to perservere through situations you don't like and it pays off later on. The Chinese also quite admire that.

In my case, I came inches away from doing a midnight run last April / 04 because of the managers treating me like a pawn and holding me to a contract I didn't agree with. In the end, I stuck it out, and am on good terms with them now.

Steve