Job Discussion Forums

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Hello fellow teachers,

Does anyone have a similar experience as follows? I'm teaching in Shanghai, a varied and interesting city. But SARS has affected us here too. I have read in the local papers that if you choose to travel to 11 key areas (mostly in North China), you need a 14-day quarantine upon re-entry into Shanghai. I'm mainly interested in making day trips to Hangzhou and Suzhou, both near Shanghai. Both of these places are not in the above list of SARS-hit areas. So, technically, I should be OK.

But the school I work at has recently published SARS regulations that forbid *any* travel outside of Shanghai unless their legal representative is first contacted for permission. I expect this to be a lengthy and bureaucratic process. He may be 'busy', 'not available', 'needs to look into the matter futher', etc. Although we're Western managed, we've absorbed the Chinese politics of red-tape. I would prefer to simply not bother, and just go. After all, I recently completed a previous trip to Zhejiang province with no problems, during the May Holiday.

However, as part of these new regulations, the company stipulated a clause saying that *any* travel outside of Shanghai without permission constitutes ground for immediate dismissal. Any travel would, presumably, include areas that are not hard-hit by SARS, including regional day trips to Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc.

What comments and advice do others have on this matter? In my opinion, this is a bit much for a simple day trip outside the city, and I'm shocked that the school would dismiss anyone over it. Is this legal? Question

On the other hand, I'm not terribly surprised the school did this, as they have had a history of discouraging travel and side-trips in the past, even simple trips in the region. Sad

To me, it seems the school is overprotective of their teachers. Last-minute notice for new classes was a sufficient deterrent for travel in the past, now management has clamped down a regulation that threatens dismissal. None of the managers have been outside of Shanghai for any length of time in their entire careers, and it's unfortunate given the ideal 'launching pad' the city makes for exploring the region and other parts of China.

To be fair, the school doesn't hire people who use teaching as a means to travel, and I agree with this. I'm a serious teacher who intends to develop professionaly, and travel isn't my main priority. But a short trip here and there makes an ideal refresher from the hectic pace of Shanghai, to arrive back in good spirits. Hangzhou and Shanghai are worlds apart, my next move would be to pursue a contract in Zhejiang province.

I'm a little upset that the school goes to the other extreme and insists that teachers are on-call every day, and highly frown on regional travel. It seems silly that a teacher would spend an entire year or more in Shanghai and not see anything else of the country.

Steve

Hamish · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 333 Location: PRC

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Here in Henan, there are roadblocks everywhere.

Don't say the name of the school on this forum, just PM it to me? Wink

oprah · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 382

Yes, I agree that this SARS does not happen everyday and it is a matter of life and death.. We all want to travel and see China.. but staying around home is small price compared to the possible consequences. We know how crowded and how bad the habits are of those on the trains... so just being in China is adventure enough for me.. I will not be going to Bejing this summer, but there is so much to do and see in all areas of the country..

frognation · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 14 Location: China

I agree that we all want to travel. There are far worse places to be stuck than Shanghai!! Teachers have not be allowed out of my town, quite literally a hole in the wall an hour outside HangZhou, in well over a month. We are all dying for a reality check. In my town you cannot even find cheese and the only western restaurant was shut down, as were the discos and internet bars. I have taken to walking around town buying fresh flowers just to give myself something to do.

There are some really choice Indian and Thai restuarants in Shanghai and I would give my left arm to be at one right now.

Everyday I think about how nice it would be to go to HangZhou but I am actually quite fearful of using public transportation, especially in this neck of the woods. Tonight the local TV station ran a 30 min. show on how to correctly wash your hands. I couldn't believe it.

For now I will just sit tight. The school gave each foreign teacher two cases of beer, I am assuming to help cure the boredom?!

take care,
froggy

frognation · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 14 Location: China

I agree that we all want to travel. There are far worse places to be stuck than Shanghai!! Teachers have not be allowed out of my town, quite literally a hole in the wall an hour outside HangZhou, in well over a month. We are all dying for a reality check. In my town you cannot even find cheese and the only western restaurant was shut down, as were the discos and internet bars. I have taken to walking around town buying fresh flowers just to give myself something to do.

There are some really choice Indian and Thai restuarants in Shanghai and I would give my left arm to be at one right now.

Everyday I think about how nice it would be to go to HangZhou but I am actually quite fearful of using public transportation, especially in this neck of the woods. Tonight the local TV station ran a 30 min. show on how to correctly wash your hands. I couldn't believe it.

For now I will just sit tight. The school gave each foreign teacher two cases of beer, I am assuming to help cure the boredom?!

take care,
froggy

Steiner · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 573 Location: Hunan China

Our school just ended its quarantine last week. All the students were allowed to return home for a three-day vacation, and my wife and I had a five-day vacation (we have weekends off). We decided to go to Zhangjiajie, about six hours west of us, still in Hunan. When we told the school where we were going, they told us we were not allowed to go. So we had a conversation with our FAO that went like this:

Me: Why can't we go to ZJJ?
FAO: It's too dangerous.
Me: Because of SARS?
FAO: Yes.
Me: If SARS is still dangerous, why has the quarantine been lifted?
FAO: We just got a letter today that said the quarantine has been lifted.
Me: So if the Hunan government has lifted the quarantine, then it must be OK to travel in Hunan. After all, the school just set 3000 students and all of the teachers loose in the province.
FAO: You can go to Changsha if you want.
Me: If we can go to Changsha, why can't we go to ZJJ?
FAO: Because of SARS.
Me: When was the last case of SARS in Hunan?
FAO: Ummm, over three weeks ago.
Me: So SARS is contained in Hunan?
FAO: Well, yes, but you can't go to ZJJ.
Me: Okay, let me ask you this. If we were CHINESE teachers from the school, would we be allowed to go to Zhangjiajie?
FAO: Yes.
Me: So let me see if I understand. Your superiors have said that the SARS situation is safe enough to lift the quarantine and there haven't been any new cases in the province for three weeks. Every student from this school and every Chinese teacher from this school may go to Zhangjiajie if they wish, but we may not go because we are foreigners. Is that right?
FAO: Yes.

I haven't exaggerated this conversation at all! We couldn't believe it. We went to Changsha in the end. I don't remember which poster recommended reading "Alice in Wonderland" before coming to China, but he or she was spot-on.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Owen · Posted: Mon May 19, 2003 10:50 am Post subject:

The foreign affairs officer at my college explained why restrictions for the foreign teachers were so tight. Very simple. They have been told by the Provincial authorities that if any foreign experts come down with SARS at our school, he loses his job.

Any cases with the students and the school president loses his job. A college closed because of being quarantined due to a number of active cases and the Provincial head of education loses his job.

Hamish · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 333 Location: PRC

There are things the Chinese can learn from Western countries about how to run a government, that is clear. But, Western countries, particularly mine, the US, can learn plenty from China about how to get government officers to turn to and work hard in an emergency.

In America, if one F**Ks Up, all too often, they move up. This is true in Government and industry. The idea was immortalized as �The Peter Principle� years ago by a guy named Peter who �discovered� that people move up in an organization until they reach the level of their incompetency.

In China we have seen a few heads roll in situations where an American official might have gotten a raise.

Regards,

GONZALVESB · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 52

I think whoever is still allowed to travel around or even walk around the town is very lucky. We are not allowed to even leave the schoolgrounds. I had to threaten these people to take me to the bank. It has become rather depressing not being able to even go and buy your daily necessities, this we should get from the shop at the school. The owner of the shop is making a lot of money because everything has become a little more expensive.

About the dress code, someone said schools normally have a dress code. Can you tell me what is the difference between wearing jeans or tracksuits and casual sandals?

ESL Guru · Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 462

A post grad at a top tier Shanghai uni went to Beijing before the SARS lockdown. Upon his return he was quarantined for 14 days, publicly criticized and made to write a self-criticizing letter that was then read over the campus loud speaker system.

An Associate Professor from the same school travelled to Shenyang in the North for May vacation to see her dying mother. Upon her return she was quarantined 14 days and then relieved of her teaching assignments as punishment.

Today, Monday, May 19, 2003, Henan Province went into full lockdown for all foreign experts. No one in - no one out. A little late chaps?

Remember, it is all for your own good. Why? Because they are still lying through their teeth about the number of new cases and they know full well that if this gets going in the hinterland, it will never be controlled, not in a million years.

China is in trouble and it is trying to lie its way out but its actions tell the true story. If SARS is on the wane, why the new draconian measures at this late date?

GONZALVESB · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 52

I am in the process of negotiating a position in Henan. What is the situation really like out there????

I am really amazed at how proud these students are of their government. According to them the government has everything under control and they believe everything their school leaders tell them.

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

The point about some schools having confinement/quarantine is a half baked idea.

If you wish to adopt this policy, you must have total segregagtion for all students and staff - That is nobody to leave the campus.

If hundreds of people are leaving the campus each day - How will this save you against SARS ?

Obviously if someone in my school develops SARS, there will be a 14 day lockout or should i say lockin.

It is funny but my students are the opposite to Gonzalves B, they have no confidence in the Government. I often assure them that the Chinese Government will handle the SARS situation with competence.

I find in Australia that people are very critical and untrusting of the Government but in a time of crisis they trust their Government. Wheras in China people are trusting of their Government in everyday life but not in crisis situations.