Korean Job Discussion Forums

ThePoet

Someone I know, who teaches at a Hakwan here, and I were talking about mismatches between work environments and teachers in Korea. They said they knew someone who got into a public school gig had served time for a selling drug-related charge back in the U.S.

I was under the impression that criminal checks were mandatory for public school positions. Was this person just trying to one-up me on my story to them, or is it possible someone with a criminal record can work at a public school?

Poet

VanIslander

peppermint · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:53 pm Post subject:

I think policy varies, depending on who the hiring authority is. I got farmed out by my hagwon, and had to get a letter of conduct from the police at home, and a full medical, because the provice required it. Now I'm working full time at a public elementary school in the same provice, and they didn't ask for anything.

btw: I've heard similar stories, but I think they're either from a few years back, or simply urban legend.

manlyboy · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:28 am Post subject:

I'm starting at a public school soon. Contract, visa, apartment have all been taken care of. I'm about to begin and I still haven't had to provide a criminal history check yet.
I guess that's a good thing because of those fires....... Twisted Evil

!!!!

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Manly: Aren't you at EPIK Orientation? Are you telling us that you haven't provided a CR check even though their admission requirements supposedly require it?

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Do you believe in rehabilitation? should a person's former misdeeds follow them forever, as if they were still as foolish as they were at age 18, selling pot to their friends?

C'mon, wev'e all made a few silly mistakes in our time. Doesn't disqualify you from shouting verbs at raucous Korean brats.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

manlyboy · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:22 pm Post subject:

Mosley wrote:

pecan · Joined: 01 Jul 2004

Manly boy is not enrolled in the EPIK orientation that started August 18th.

What program he is involved with is a mystery, even to manly boy.

Nut

manlyboy · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:18 am Post subject:

pecan wrote:

pecan · Joined: 01 Jul 2004

Manly boy,

It sounds like you are involved with the new program in Kyoungi Province for Elementary Schools, commonly referred to as GEPIK (Gyounggi English Program in Korea). It is not EPIK, and that would explain the confusion.

One letter can make a difference.

Good luck to you,
Nut

manlyboy · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:37 am Post subject:

TJ · Joined: 10 Mar 2003

Manly Boy, you raise several interesting points. Firstly, I taught last year with EPIK in Jeollabuk Do but was never asked for proof that I had no criminal record. [I don't have a record]

Secondly, I am now teaching at a middle school in Seongnam and am living in Bandung (Gyeongi Do). Once again was not queried re a criminal record. By the way, this time I applied direct to Gyeonggi Do province but was required by them to sign a standard EPIK contract. There was no mention of "GEPIK".

Also, this time I did not have to go through the orientation course which is a good thing because this is my 4th year in Korea.

What is the name of the supervisor you have been communicating with ?

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The EPIK requirement for a CR check only started this year. It was funny, because at their website, under qualifications/documents required, they simply listed "criminal record"! Only in EPIK....