Job Discussion Forums

[ronald_reagan]

I was informed this morning that many or all of mediakid's clients canceled on them. This is what I was told in an email. THe person told me to wait a week or two. What is up with this? Are they running some sort of scam, or do schools really cancel on these recruiters? Also, if government schools cancel their relationship with recruiters, this doesn't reflect well at all on the recruiter, really?

[MaiPenRai]

I thnk that there are numerous reasons that a school would cancel or not re-sign with a teacher or a recruiter. In some some cases, it may be a reflection of the recruiting company, BUT MANY of the main reasons for this have no connection at all to the quality or services of the recruiter or the teacher.

It is the end of the school year in Thailand. Many schools get new directors or bosses and so they like to rearrange things to show that they are in charge now. Also its a new school year so schools change naturally or at least take time to re-evaluate the direction of the school. Also I heard that someone in the Education wing of the government has pushed for free education (government subsidized) for all Thai children from grades 1-12. Sounds great right? BUT, If this goes through (which I have heard it has already, but you never know for sure), most government schools, especially outside Bangkok, will no longer be able to afford foreign teachers. In the past they could raise extra tuition if parents/students/schools wanted foreign teachers. This may not be the case in the upcoming school year.

By the way, I have worked with local and provincial government organizations in Thailand for the past year now specifically working on R&D (resources and curriculum) and PD in government schools in the N and NE. Therefore I have seen hundreds of government schools and I know of almost all of the recruitment companies. I have talked to many teachers both working with recruiters and directly with the school. I have lived and worked in Thailand off and on for about 7 years in language, government, private and bilingual schools. I think this qualifies me to make an educated statement on these issues.

So they sky is not falling, just changes. It is Thailand and things like this happen all the time. Look at how much has changed for Visa and Work Permit regulations in the past year alone.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have worked with mediakids in the past and I know most of the staff there still. While they have lost a few schools for next year, they have also signed many new schools and plan to get a lot more soon.

So I don't think its really any indication of things at the recruiters level (although I suppose it could be, at least in part), but more about changes in the education system and natural evaluations and changes at the end/beginning of a new school year.

The same thing happens at public schools eveywhere in the world. Art, music, physical education, second language classes get cancelled, reduced or cut. These teachers lose thier jobs or are transferred or puched to part-time. Other extra-curricular activities or option classes get reduced or cut and teachers lose jobs or are put on part-time. Is that a scam? NO, of course not, and no one would think it was. So why do people think it is a scam just because it is in a different country? Yes, it is important to be careful when you work overseas as there are some bad people/companies/schools out there, but they are pretty easy to spot. When someone asks for money before you have arrived, it is probably a scam. if they wont let you see what the school looks like, it could be an indication. If they aren't willing to let you talk to someone who has worked or is working with them, it could be an indication to stay away. Not necessarily, but a good warning sign. Ask lots of questions and then evaluate their answers with an objective eye. MediaKids has always been good with me about answering questions and showing me new schools. I've worked at three different schools with them in the past.

Schools often change recruiters if they had problems with teachers sent to them. Often they start to feel like they can recruit their own teachers and save some money, so they cut the recuiters. Often schools decide that they dont want foreign teachers anymore because they cant afford them or just dont want to deal with them anymore. Often schools decide to save money and hire Filipino teachers, who sadly get paid less than other less qualified foreign teachers simply because they look different.
Right now, I am sure that a big reason some schools are not resigning for foreign teachers with recruiters, or on their own, is due to the economic slow-down that is starting to affect some Thai families.

There are a host of other reasons why a school would cancel or not re-sign a contract with a teacher or a recruiter.

Again, its not always a reflection on the recruiter. Most often its just about money. Or about the quality of teacher being presented at that school by the recruiter. Hell, I worked at a school that started using a recruiter (no names) for some of their foreign teachers because the head teacher was friends with the owner of the company. They were absolutely crap and the teachers they sent to the school were laughable. The recuiter didnt do anything (no visa or work permit, no accommodations). They used them for 2 years I heard; once the Head of Department changed, the recuiter was gone. LOL. That's Thailand!

So Ronald R, ask lots of questions and ask to speak to a current or past teacher. That should give you a pretty good indication.

[ronald_reagan]

Thank you for the advice and comfort.