Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. BlackCat]

My understanding is that there is a bill up for approval that would see education funding cut in Seoul. If that bill passes, likely English education would be where it would come from. If that's where it comes from, NSETs would likely be the ones who are cut. But only approximately 57%. That's a lot of ifs, and the budget hasn't even been passed yet. Not saying it's not going to happen, but people need to calm down. Nothing is written in stone yet.

[matthews_world]

Please re-word thread title heading, thanks.

[bobbybigfoot]

Not good news for those of you in Seoul's public school system.

[Malislamusrex]

great, send those foreign devils packing.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Looks like Cohiba needs to add one more thing to his List about Seoul...

[Swampfox10mm]

Holy jeepers, Batman...... Barely noon and I have been hit-up to teach privates twice. And I don't do them. One coworker who asked said it is because her son won't have a foreigner teaching in school next year.

[bobbybigfoot]

I just had this confirmed by a Korean Head Teacher in the public system:

"Foreign teachers hired by budget of educational office can't re-contract here except for ones supported by the city hall money."

I'm a hagwon worker so I can't say I understand how the public system works, but maybe this is useful information for you.

[MattAwesome]

I just talked ot SMOE about this. The rumors are coming from the government but not confirmed by SMOE. What does that mean? To me, it means it will probably happen, but no one knows how. better start working on that higher education now. get in tight with your school and such.

[jurassic82]

Nothing has been set in stone and agree with what some one has posted earlier that everyone needs to calm down. There is always some one that says they talked to some official and that things are going to get bad. I always take it with a grain. NET weren't meant to be permanent anyways so the fact that they are going to be cut shouldn't be that big of a suprise. Also, I am sure it isn't going to be as dramatic as some people think. Many people won't get renewed later in the year as I doubt this will effect teachers that just renewed as the bill hasn't even been passed yet and the new school year will start in two months.

[litebear]

This was pretty inevitable IMHO, and I wouldn't be surprised if the other programs follow suit.

I wonder if medium-term it might be a good thing? I know a lot of people make comparisons with Japan but I was always under the impression the their Visa system worked differently in a way that meant when all the big hagwons went bust the teachers didn't have to leave as they owned their own visa. The job market collapsing in Korea would have a different effect as every time there is a big cut a certain percentage (who doesn�t find a new job) will have to leave. It might cleanse the whole teaching market a bit.

[z3371538]

I think everyone is being too pessimistic. Korean parents will not be a fan of this idea.

[Gorf]

Every semi-failing hagwon owner just popped a bottle of champagne.

[World Traveler]

The successful ones popped a bottle of champange, too. They are about to get a lot richer!

[fosterman]

Good for the Hakwon now, they are still having a hard time filling positions, but now with the 1000 teachers out of the public schools, and the countless graduates coming from home, Hakwons will be able to fill their positions,
pay the teachers lower wages, and line their pockets with more money.

Just like the FTA with Europe and Usa, even with the tariffs, dropped 15% the prices haven't changed in the store. why? because the middlemen are just taking that extra 15% for themselves.
can't believe hakwons are still offering 1.9-2.1 a month. salaries haven't changed in 10 years.

[z3371538]

I would think some people will just go home or try to find work in another country.