Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Phant0m]

My school will be having a school festival tomorrow, so afternoon classes were "canceled", along with tomorrow's classes. The thing is, even though I don't have any classes to teach, I was told that I had to stay in school during the regular school hours. When I asked why, they told me that even though the classes are canceled, the school itself isn't closed, so I have to stay for the rest of the day and all day tomorrow.

Is this legal? For your information, I am under the standard GEPIK contract, so would this be part of the "other things the school may ask"?

[dean_burrito]

It's not a holiday and it's not a Saturday. What exactly is your argument?
Have you ever heard the phrase "choose your battles wisely?" I'd go to school if I was you. It might even prove fun to participate in the festival, for you and the students.

[Phant0m]

It's not the fact that I have to go to the festival, since I've been looking forward to it as well, but it's the fact that I would have to stay in school for 8 hours for something I could probably do everything they have to offer in about an hour or 2. They also tried to force me to do some talent show activity by myself, but I flat out refused, saying that I don't have any talent (which is semi-true).

Am I just screwing myself over nothing?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Well what will the Korean teachers be doing during the festival. Will any of them who have little to do be wondering why they have to come in, or will they just assume that being at the festival is part of being a teacher at your school? If so than shouldn't you?

[karri]

Yes you are

Go in, bond with your students and co-workers. Chances are you'll get off early and possibly taken out for diner.

[Cornfed]

[ardis]

Suck it up. Last year, my school's festival was a lot of fun and I got to leave at 3. You're making a big deal out of something not worth it.

[marlow]

Depending on what the festival involves it could be fun.

However, in the past, many of my co-teachers and principals would politely realize I may feel out of place and bored in a situation where a lot of things are going on, and nothing is happening in English. So they said I could not attend if I wished. Sometimes I would go, sometimes I wouldn't, and our relationships remained good. A little decency by both parties is often needed, and some schools are famous for starting things off on the indecent foot.

[BS.Dos.]

Stop whining. You're going and that's that.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Aren't you contracted to be at school 5 days a week? Or are you only contracted to be in class a certain number of hours a week, like a hakwon teacher?

[sojourner1]

Oh yes, it's festival time where they play medieval Europe style classical music on these cheesy tinny sounding outdoor speakers and do some marching and exercising in the front field. Wednesday mornings right now is when one of my schools is doing it and yes I have to come in for them. I don't mind as it's a well received free break from 6 hours of teaching as teaching a long day is hard work vs. observing what the Koreans are doing, but I would rather hit a gym during the day when not teaching. Too bad none are around. Maybe I should had joined high school so I can use a gym when not teaching since high schools have one. Elementary is boring.

I'm not obligated nor invited to go on the field trip. Free Friday off in 2 weeks.

[crazy_arcade]

I seriously can't believe someone is complaining about having to attend a school festival. Oh *beep* me my life is over.

[tefain]

[Voyeur]

What you are really asking is why do Public Schools make the FT be in for so many more hours than they need to be and on summer vacation days when they don't have any classes etc... It is a good question. But ultimately futile to pursue. It is just one of those silly things.

If at some point competition for teachers was tough enough that they couldn't fill TONS of jobs, they probably would change that. Until then, you are pretty much stuck.

[KoreanAmbition]

Go to the festival and hit on Korean women.