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GEPIK not renewing outside of March/September for some
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Artris



Joined: 09 Jun 2009

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:55 pm    Post subject: GEPIK not renewing outside of March/September for some Reply with quote

I received this in my email. I'm not renewing, so it does not affect me. My school gets its funding from the city anyways (for me). Still, some of you may appreciate this and I don't see the harm in posting it since it should have been forwarded to most of those in GEPIK by now (given the extensive forwarding list I saw on my end) and its purpose is to 'end rumors'.

Code:
Hello GEPIK Teachers,

 
We know that many of you have been inquiring about the recent changes in GEPIK for this year. This email will hopefully clear up some of your questions and will shed light on what's going on with GEPIK.
As many of you have probably heard by now, GEPIK will not be hiring and/or renewing teachers from May 25, 2011 to August 31, 2011. At this point in time GEPIK is working to restructure the program. During this three-month period, we will be working to streamline the program so that starting September 2011 GEPIK contract dates will be aligned. We are aiming to set contract dates for September 1st and March 1st so that the GEPIK structure will be more standardized. We do realize that many of you will be affected by this change, but please understand that we found it crucial to restructure our program to improve GEPIK, not only for the program itself but for our teachers as well.
To explain this situation further, last year (2010), GEPIK reached its highest numbers of teachers. However, from the year 2011, there has been a decrease in the number of teachers in our program. At the same time, during this period of change, it is in the best interest of our program to secure as much funding as we could in order to maintain as many GEPIK teachers as possible.
Again, we hope that this email will help end some of the rumors that have been circulating, and we do apologize for not making this announcement sooner. Below, we have listed some FAQs to clarify and answer some of the questions we have been receiving.
As always, thank you for your support and contribution to GEPIK. We thoroughly appreciate the hard work that all of our teachers have put in for GEPIK.
 
Sincerely,
GEPIK Coordinators & GPOE
--------------------------------------------------------
FAQs:
Q: Will there be jobs available within GEPIK during this 3 month period?
A: There are three places that funds GEPIK teachers:
1.      Directly from GPOE
2.      Half from GPOE and the other half from their respective city budgets
3.      Strictly from respective city budgets
Schools that receive funding STRICTLY from their respective cities will be able to still renew/hire teachers during this period.
 
Q: How stable is my contract? Will my school let me go early before my contract ends?
A: You will get to finish your contract for the full 365 days that you and your school signed on for.
 
Q: What changes will there be after the restructuring of the program?
A: GEPIK is aiming to have all contract dates to start either March 1st or September 1st. We are also planning to send GEPIK teachers to an orientation before they begin working at their schools.
 
Q: How can I found a job with GEPIK in the future?
A: Contact recruiting agencies. We have attached a file with a list of agencies that recruit for GEPIK.
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sallymonster



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, basically, GEPIK wants to become like EPIK/SMOE and have two intakes a year and not allow teachers to find out their school placements until the end of orientation. That way it'll be easier to find teachers for crappy schools/locations.

But what will happen if a teacher quits or does a midnight run? Either the school will hire mid-semester or they'll have to wait until the next intake to replace the teacher. Either the school or GEPIK won't be happy.

Also, if I can't choose which public school I work in, I won't apply for public schools again. I already won't apply for SMOE for this reason. It's too much of a crapshoot as to school working conditions and location. At least with hagwons I can talk to current/former teachers, ask for pictures of the apartment, and check the school out before making a decision.
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AustSaint



Joined: 26 Jun 2003
Location: Yongmun

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just got that email in the mail, luckily my school is not renewing me anyways because of my pay greade. Though the job I might be getting is just before the cut off date.
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Swampfox10mm



Joined: 24 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They want to flush out the highly-paid long-term teachers who know how to handle schools that screw them.
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Swampfox10mm wrote:
They want to flush out the highly-paid long-term teachers who know how to handle schools that screw them.


Yup.
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bobbybigfoot



Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why not at least offer those affected the opportunity to extend a few more months, bringing them up to the September 1st date? Then, offer a year long contract.

So some schools are going to go without a NET for a few months?
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Cerulean



Joined: 19 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThingsComeAround wrote:
Swampfox10mm wrote:
They want to flush out the highly-paid long-term teachers who know how to handle schools that screw them.


Yup.


I was thinking the same thing. Not so much the screwing part but the highly paid-teachers that have put in the time. But I'm leaving so.....
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southernman



Joined: 15 Jan 2010
Location: On the mainland again

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree that GEPIK is just trying to run along the same lines as EPIK.

That is, that there are two main recruiting times and placements times. This is just good practice, both financially and business wise. There are still lot's of placements throughout EPIK during the year as well. So this will continue to happen at GEPIK, there will always be a certain attrition rate throughout the year.

One thing about EPIK, as far as I know, they don't seem to have any form of policy in place to weed out the higher graded and hense higher paid teachers.
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winterfall



Joined: 21 May 2009

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The change to september is interesting. Seems like they're aiming to pick all the people frustrated with other POEs. SMOE contracts end in August, not sure about the mid year hires
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shostahoosier



Joined: 14 Apr 2009

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So if a school's teacher's contract ends on August 31st, they cant be re-contracted but it will be ok if the contract ended September 1st?

This does sound like they're flushing out the more expensive NETs. Not only will returning teachers not get a raise for being at the same school, but they'll also miss out on the re-contracting bonus, the 2 weeks home leave, and the roundtrip ticket. That could be 3,000,000-5,000,000 Won!

I like how this message says "We do realize that many of you will be affected by this change, but please understand that we found it crucial to restructure our program to improve GEPIK, not only for the program itself but for our teachers as well"...and then they end with basically saying "if you have a problem...here's a list of people who can help you...we wont". Rolling Eyes
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sojusucks



Joined: 31 May 2008

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schools without foreign teachers = angry parents
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HANGRY



Joined: 04 Feb 2011

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can somebody explain what this means for new GEPIK applicants? Will there be any sort of application period for the September 1st date like with EPIK? Should we just contact recruiters?
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liamoc12



Joined: 23 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:17 pm    Post subject: Starting orientation with BMOE on April 22nd. Reply with quote

Hi,
I'm suppose to be starting the orientation with BMOE on April 22nd so I suppose the contract will start in May. Is Busan one of the cities that will be able to extend contracts next year in May?
I'm sure this is probably a very hard question but if anyone thinks they can answer it would be great to find out some more information.
I'm going to ask my recruiter and see if she has any info on it.
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jrwhite82



Joined: 22 May 2010

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Busan is not part of GEPIK. So this announcement doesn't affect you.
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winterfall



Joined: 21 May 2009

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sojusucks wrote:
Schools without foreign teachers = angry parents


Yup, most Foreign Teachers don't realize. It's a big status jump and selling point to have an FT. There's not enough to go around. Unlike hagwons where its the norm. If parents had a choice between public schools, they'd almost always send their kids to a school with an FT than one without. I think it even boosts their college admission scores, if their high school had one.
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