Job Discussion Forums

Nickyboy · Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 21

Hello good people,

OK, I'll try to be brief...

Work in a government high school via an agency. Salary reasonable enough (32,000). School wants to ditch agency and hire me direct for next semester beginning May 16th. At first they said they couldn't hire me for March or April, then the Head of English said she'd like me to come in throughout March to work on lessons etc.

Then today I was told that I would be on heavily reduced pay for March.
I went to see the Ass. Director and as calmly as I could try to deduce what the f@�$k was going on.

They seem so reluctant to pay my Filipino colleague and I decent money.
I managed to convince them 35,000 isn't extortionate, but I sense them twisting and turning like a stuck pig.

They also said that both permit and visa would cost about 3000
a piece...mmmm. Jing Jing ah?!

Should I tell them thanks but no thanks? I mean, the 'special' techer toilet is a squat, there's only one computer in the staff room and that's shiiiiiiiitttteee. The M3 kids never seem to have any effing paper, let alone books to write in when it comes to my class.

I have a BA, a decent TEFL certificate and like very much what I do. Many of the kids seem to love me to pieces, which, while not being an astounding achievement, is very nice and vindicates my teaching style to a large degree.

I don't want the upheaval, but refuse to commit myself to an inferior package.

Advice peeps please!

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

Your school is paying an okay wage. Having any computer is better than the norm. They should, however, pay you your full salary for April (normal month off) and not have you doing any work -- but it is also normal to have to sit on you goddamn hands for half of March doing nothing before you're officially released for vacation. They're honest about the WP fees.

Getting the kids to bring paper and books to class is your job, not the school's.

There are better packages out there, but not many and not by much -- and since you've put in the time here maybe they'll move you up the ladder a bit next year (if you plan to stick around).

Is the school in a good location?

Nickyboy · Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 21

Cheers for the words of advice,

My agency seem to think I can do better, and have said that they would like me to check out another school nearby.

To answer your question, my school is in Th Ratburanna, soi 37. I live in Klong Toei. I don't really have any concerns with that commute. The new school is down the road; Rama 2.

I've been promised 35,000 and some 'very nice people' to work with.
OK, time to move on then I guess...

Nick

stevenabroad · Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 34

Personally, if I were you I would stay since it sounds like other then any minor financial issues the students are great and it's a decent job and employer relationship. Unless it was a major difference in salary I wouldn't bother since you have a good thing going and can't be sure what to expect down the road. Obviously if it wasn't for the money you wouldn't leave so ask yourself is the extra few thousand bhat going to change you life