Job Discussion Forums

Liam · Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 70

Help! I'm lacking a PGCE and am employed as a NET in a secondary school. Because I lack a PGCE, I also lack the housing benefit and any other perks you wish to name that come with the regular NET scheme. Basically, I've got a year's contract yet my title is 'temporary NET'. I'm just wondering if anyone knows what rights NETs have, what support groups are out there, when NET meetings are and whether 'temporary NETs' like myself, are covered by the same rights. Things are not exactly perfect at school at the minute and I'm just feeling a bit lost. Help!

Paddington · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Hong Kong

You probably should join the ETA (Expat Teacher's Association). I should too for that matter. I think they are growing in strength and achieving results. Plus they are probably the best people to advise you on your rights.

hkgirlo · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Hong Kong

Do you have any teaching qualifications? or experience??? I have a degree in Education, yet get hassled about having the stupid TEFL...
Did you start this year? Did you go to the induction course? What does your AT say?? I didn't know they hired temporary NETS.... what contract did you sign? Maybe you should talk with NESTA... they are a type of support group for NETS...

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

NESTA is I hate to say, rather useless. The ETA may be better as they have more of a legal grounding. ETA is more expensive, but I hear, mush more worth it.

saroq · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 77

It sounds like you have been employed by the school but outside of the EMB NET scheme. That is the only reason why you don't get the housing benefit etc. NETs have no rights except those under Hong Kong law. The good news is that you probably can do something about your problem because Hong Kong schools rely on NETs ignorance of their rights and the apathy of local teachers to get away with what they do to local and foreign teachers.

Forget about NESTA it is thoroughly useless and will do nothing to help you with your problems. The ETA (Expatriate Teacher's Association) is your best option. The home page is http://www.offedge.net/eta/

NETteacher · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 21

I can thoroughly recommend joining the ETA. In my last contract, the school didn't cough up the gratuity at the end of contract and gave me a bullshit story about how the EMB told them they only had to pay me half of it. After one phone call to the ETA, I got my Gratuity the next day and a personal apology from the Principal.

NESTA is useless when it comes to defending NETs against the scams and petty tyranny of the Principals. They suck up to the EMB and can't even run a decent meeting properly. The present NESTA committee are just a bunch of self-serving sycophants. Don't be sucked in. NESTA has been driven into the ground and lots of long term NETs have left in disgust.

Liam · Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 70

Thanks to everyone above for the help. The ETA sounds like the one for me. The only problem being the website appears to be having problems. When I click on Saroq's link it comes up with server not found (in Chinese) and searching through Google comes up the same. It may be my computer, may be an old web address, may just have to wait 'til tomorrow. Anyone know any more?

Thanks again.

saroq · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 77

Sorry about the dead link. The ETA address is www.etahk.com

Mark Aldred is the person to speak to. Good luck with things.

jenny-pnet · Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 59

ETA is a good investment and a worthwhile cause. It's growing stronger and is a very proactive association. Even if your personal circumstances seem fine at the moment, I don't think the working environment in Hong Kong has enough stability to guarantee no problems in the future. eg A change of principal can change conditions and expectations enormously.

It's good insurance and is actually cheaper than the union back home. And besides, knowing lots of other expat teachers experience problems, it's a great way to be supportive of each other. I know I'd appreciate the support if I was experiencing problems in my own workplace. And that can happen to any of us, regardless of our teaching skills and professionalism.

Peaches En Regalia · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:39 am Post subject: Re: NET Advice

You ask about rights, but the only 'rights' you will have are obviously those listed in your contract (and those afforded other residents of the SAR of HK). If it is not in your contract that you will receive housing allowance then, equally as obviously, you will not receive any.

You say you are a NET, but if you were a NET (that is, an EMB NET) you would get the al