Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fofazoju]

So I'm so sick of hearing this. I KNOW there is some sort of budget.

I need books for my classes, and apparently, I am waiting for the government to send us our money.

a) how true is this statement?

b) how much money is budgeted for the English program?

c) Should i suggest I email the head of GEPIK to see where it is (not as a threat per se, but as a genuine concern as to where our money is)

I'm soooooooooooooo sick of this.

[Gamecock]

They are probably telling the truth. There is no budget...NOW.

Maybe it is different in different areas, but from what I've been told the schools are given one lump sum for the English program at the beginning of the year (including your salary, key money, etc.). Chances are they did a quick estimation of how much you would cost, forgot to factor in textbooks, and went on a drinking/room salon spree the excess funds. That, or the Principal or someone else just pocketed the funds, in which case this person would have to lose face by making this money suddenly re-appear.

I'd say if you call the GEPIK office, the Principal might suddenly, out of the goodness of his heart, decide to donate the money for your textbooks. In which case you'll be on the *beep* list for the rest of your time there. Or you still won't get your textbooks but will still be on the *beep* list for calling the GEPIK office.

These are the scenarios I love about Korea

I'd suggest pulling aside your co-teacher very politely and saying something flowery along the lines of, "How can we work together to solve this problem. I just want the students to have the best education possible, and I know that's what everyone wants, blah blah blah... See if this gets any results first. Perhaps they are telling the truth and this will encourage them to make a call about forthcoming funds. But if you've caught them lying, being angry and making a scene will have the opposite effect you want as you'll be embarrassing someone for their "indescretion."

[mrsquirrel]

Call the Korean Herald they would love to hear this story.

[wylies99]

They have the money. OP, keep bringing this up to your teachers.

[xCustomx]

This year each school should receive about 45 million won if you're in GEPIK. Let's assume you're making 2.3/month x 13 months (year salary plus severance), plus your school is paying 600k/month for your housing. Add in airfare, plus furnishings for your house (assuming everything is new) and you should still be left over with a couple million won.

[Ilsanman]

The money is sitting in your principal's fat bank account getting fatter. That, or it's in the cash register of the local room salon.