Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kilgore Trout]

Does anyone know how much money a school with a GEPIK teacher receives each year from the gov't to cover the costs of having a native English teacher? I was under the impression it was 50,000,000. Does anybody know with any certainty?

[tob55]

[Kilgore Trout]

Thanks tob. The reason I'm asking is because I've expressed interest in signing a new contract with this school (I've been here four years already), yet the dept head yesterday said the school only gets 40 million from the gov't and can no longer afford to pay me. I'm in the GEPIK range, albeit at the top, since I've spent so long in the program; my salary isn't due to change at all, so the costs will be the same as this past year. Based on this and other things I've been told, I feel they're feeding me a line to squeeze me out for reasons I can't fathom.

If you can get anything concrete, especially a source I could cite when I talk with them, I'd really appreciate it. But, really, any info would be helpful.

Cheers

[Johnny_Bravo]

[Ramen]

[tob55]

The problem is that the schools are given funding on a rotating basis. The same thing happened at my school once I hit the fourth contract period. The schools are given three years of regular funding, and then in the fourth and subsequent years they must find an alternative source for funding. This year my school was able to rope an additional amount of money because we are doing something different with our students than in the previous years. I now have two full-time co-teachers which are paid through the funding mechanism as well. This means our English budget is combined NET and KET allowing the school to gain additional funds they would not be entitled to otherwise. I understand that the portion for my contract including the pension, insurance, airline ticket, end of contract extra month pay, and salary was roughly around 57 mil KRW. This includes extra funds that are available for workshops, seminars and such. I cannot see the budget, but I know the person responsible for the NET budget in the office, and she was kind enough to share a little.

The top end limit is unfortunately the top end limit and the schools will seldom bend. My school gave me the opportunity for after school classes, and the education office has begun asking me to do more for them which also adds to my income. I believe your school is probably telling the truth and they do not have the funding. My school had to find another source to get my funds from. Not sure how they did it, but it has all worked out for me. I will see what other information I can find that might be helpful to you.

[Kilgore Trout]

tob, thanks a lot. That was very informative and good to know. I really appreciate the effort!

[Countrygirl]

I was also told that it was 40 million but I thought it would have changed by now with the increase in GEPIK wage and the high airfares.

My small story...My VP recently made me sign a note saying that I was intending to renew with my school but since then we haven't discussed the contract. I then brought the matter up to my handler who brought it up to the Principal who said my contract would be renewed if there was enough money in the contract. My handler, who really wants me to stay, will now call the Education Office to find out how much the budget will be.

If GEPIK hasn't increased the budget with the high airfares and the higher payscale, then the more experienced teachers will have some serious decisions to make.