Job Discussion Forums

[tofuman]

My first school was a nightmare. I left after completing my contract but was disappointed that one FT returned, thereby validating the abuse that we had all suffered at the hands of people that I simply define as sociopaths.

On Christmas, I was informed by a very knowledgable party that that said school is in, or on, the verge of bankruptcy. Apparently one of the VPs absconded with a huge sum of money, bringing unwanted scrutiny to the school. If things go a certain direction, some of the main actors in the farce they call education will receive prison time. Fraud and corruption are the charges that are being investigated.

Most interesting was the investigation of the real status of the school. The school represents itself as a government institution. If it is, these crimes will carry much more serious criminal consequences. If it is determined to be a privately owned money making scheme masquerading as a government school, the case will be less serious for the perpetrators.


I might add that the FTs there, including myself, were being used to attract students who would ultimately be defrauded. Some of the issues being looked at include the competence of the Chinese teachers being employed. At this stage of the investigation, FTs are not an issue.

My contact reminded me that as a foreigner, it would be "inconvenient" for me to become involved in a matter as potentially serious as this. Since I'm not at the school anymore, I can only hope that the deserving ones will get prison and have their careers as educators destroyed. Perhaps I will see them, after they complete their sentences, selling roasted potatoes on a street corner.

God is Great!

[vikdk]

any chance of a name for this school - since an FT has returned we can assume it's still employing FT's - and since others have left it will recruit more - we need the name for a "potential" warning - and a few more details of the goings on that have a direct relevance to FT work there.

[7969]

i too, am waiting to see the name of the school. complaints without details aren't much help to us.

[vikdk]

I can understand it, sometimes the environment surrounding leaving a school can feel pretty intimidating - I think most experienced FT's will have experienced concerns over one or another job and know where Tofuman is coming from, and even as heresay his post paints more of an accurate picture of many FT jobs here than the reems of advertising for China jobs - which promise much but very often give something totaly different.
but it would be nice to hear what school it is

[Roger]

My memory may fail me, but I'll hazard a risky statement: tofuman apprised us some time ago he was so disgusted with "teaching" in China he no longer was making money that way.

Have harder times fallen upon us, tofuman?

[Don McChesney]

I am at the school concerned, and I have heard nothing about these affairs.
In fact the school invited a visit from a consultant from London to see how we can improve the teaching programme to get the students English to a high, internationally approved level of IELTS. In addition we are trying to restructure a major course to make it acceptable to Australian, and New Zealand levels, as well as for the UK.
I am personally involved in all of this, and they welcome my experience, input and specialised knowledge. They are prepared to spend money, lots of it, to make it attractive for up to 4 FT's to be here, to meet these new standards.
The school is in Zhengzhou, and we need new teachers who can actually teach, rather than just 'go through the motions' with students. Many of the girls here are very willing to work hard to realise their dreams, and it is my hopes I can play a part in this.
Feel free to PM me if you want to know more.

[tofuman]

This post was not intended as a complaint about a school. Although the person who informed me of these goings on is an individual in a much better position to know about these things than anyone posting here, I purposely refrained from mentioning the name of the school because how this will play out remains to be seen. It is an investigation at this point. If charges are brought, one can be nearly certain that the parties will be found guilty. There is no presumption of innocence. People are charged because the investigation points to their guilt.

I find it hilarious that because a FT is unaware of things going on at his school this news is scoffed at and contradicted. Most FTs don't even know about the meeting they are supposed to attend in an hour, much less that their bosses are being investigated for corruption and fraud and their institution is near, or in, bankruptcy. If this matter goes the worst case route, the school will cease to exist as it now does because those running it may be imprisoned and replaced.

The nature of the school is in question. It is possible that the school is not even a government entity but a private money making scheme disguised by lots of flag waving.

The banruptcy issue, perhaps complicated by a multicampus institution, and complex relationships, is something that I'll just wait to see about.
If each campus is an independent entity, that may have an impact. But a rotting fish stinks from its head.

But of course, who knows how guanxi will help resolve this matter.

Perhaps my rejoicing was premature.