Author Topic: Re: Re: GEPIK is Finished (Read 22515 times)

xnay · « **on:** January 29, 2011, 11:42:23 pm »

I thought I would post this as it likely has affected a number of people.

I've been teaching at the same high school in Gyeonggi-do for the past 4.5 years and got the axe the other week. On December 23 a memo was sent out to schools by GPOE informing them of budget cuts for the NET program to a number of schools. I found out after returning from a holiday back home on January 17. I was set to go to immigration that day to renew my visa since my school and I had signed a new contract before my vacation. I will now complete this contract to the end of February and then I'm done as the school's budget was already made so there was no room for me without the external funding provided my GPOE.

The copy of the official Korean paper I have from GPOE states that 487 schools in Gyeonggi Province have lost funding that will affect their ability to retain a foreign teacher. 360 elementary schools, 73 middle schools, and 54 high schools have been affected. I would imagine that if you're school is going to lose funding, they should know by now. If not, I urge you to contact your school.

pez · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:21:16 pm »

I got the Axe at my school with the reason being budget cuts. They wanted a fresh-college-grad to replace me, who with a master's in education and plenty of experience was too expensive.

If you are looking for a job, mine is pretty sweet and possibly they still need teachers, but I don't know. Send me your email if you're interested. It's in Seoul at a private elementary school (Hanyang University Elementary), it's not a hogwan but a private elementary.

We start March 1st, but they haven't done contracts yet so there might still be people who back out. We go from 8:30-3:00 (or 4:30 if they change it for next year) and pay is 2.8 min/month with NO housing, but they give 10mil key money. You teach english, 25 hours a week (i think... close to that) and you repeat lessons. 12 kids a class, qutie easy in my opinion compared to public school workload that I had.

GOod luck!
amy

Arsalan · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:24:49 pm »

Good grief!

I'm sorry to hear that. Are you planning on teaching elsewhere in S.Korea? University perhaps?

glim67 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2011, 09:19:04 am »

What is your e-mail? I have a friend who is may be interested

isanghan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:00:30 pm »

The same thing happened to me. I had already signed a contract for the 2011/2012 school year with my school, but now I am only staying until the end of this current contract. The reason stated was a lack of funding.

Fortunately, I was able to secure a new job at a hagwon just one day later (I was informed two days before my annual visit home), but it was rather upsetting. Especially as I had signed the contract, and they asked me to give it back to them.

This was my first and only year teaching with GEPIK.

awaygookindarok · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:02:48 pm »

Do you happen to know if the same problem is with EPIK?

confusedsafferinkorea · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:04:08 pm »

I can't believe how GPIK treats their teachers!!!! They would never get away with this sort of thing in any country with any sort of Labour Laws, very disturbing.

grosje · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:15:40 pm »

I am so sorry to hear this is happening, and that you lost your job in the process.

This also just about happened to the other NT in my school. She was told she was being renewed and then got a call saying the government cut the funding. Thankfully, we work in Gwacheon where the race track funds the government to seemingly no end. Luckily my coteacher was kind enough to call Gwacheon and try and sort out a way for her salary to be covered for 2 months by them until my city-sponsored position comes open in May. Were I to renew for a 4th year and keep my position, she would have been SOL, too.

Although I understand government cuts, this massive cull, seems to be very short-sighted. Especially since we have 15 classes of students(not including 3rd and 4th grade) who will now need to be magically seen 3 times a week by one NT.

patch83 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:19:15 pm »

Anyone heard anything from ATEK lately about any of this? Pardon my ignorance if any statements or anything else have been released by them that have gone under my radar.

xnay · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2011, 04:44:13 pm »

Some more developments.

I went to work on Wednesday and was told that the GPOE would call my school on Friday (11th) or Monday (14th) because they may now reverse their decision at my school (possibly others as well) and provide funding for a foreign teacher. My head teacher told me to wait and see what will happen rather than accept another job offer from somewhere else. From what I have heard, the funding debate is between foreign teachers and free school lunches for the students. What pops into my head is this: if they can flip-flop on this issue so easily and without considering that it's actually affecting people's lives, then what's to prevent them from doing this again on a whim?

weirdgirlinkorea · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2011, 08:01:15 pm »

How many ppl are they looking to hire, do you know? A friend of mine is already in Korea and not renewing at her Hagwon and is looking for a position. If its still a possibility, can PM the info or your email address?

Thanks!

Quote from: pez on January 30, 2011, 01:21:16 pm

I got the Axe at my school with the reason being budget cuts. They wanted a fresh-college-grad to replace me, who with a master's in education and plenty of experience was too expensive.

If you are looking for a job, mine is pretty sweet and possibly they still need teachers, but I don't know. Send me your email if you're interested. It's in Seoul at a private elementary school (Hanyang University Elementary), it's not a hogwan but a private elementary.

We start March 1st, but they haven't done contracts yet so there might still be people who back out. We go from 8:30-3:00 (or 4:30 if they change it for next year) and pay is 2.8 min/month with NO housing, but they give 10mil key money. You teach english, 25 hours a week (i think... close to that) and you repeat lessons. 12 kids a class, qutie easy in my opinion compared to public school workload that I had.

GOod luck!
amy

isanghan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2011, 02:15:52 pm »

Quote from: xnay on February 13, 2011, 04:44:13 pm

Some more developments.

I went to work on Wednesday and was told that the GPOE would call my school on Friday (11th) or Monday (14th) because they may now reverse their decision at my school (possibly others as well) and provide funding for a foreign teacher. My head teacher told me to wait and see what will happen rather than accept another job offer from somewhere else. From what I have heard, the funding debate is between foreign teachers and free school lunches for the students.

I just had this same discussion with my co-teacher, but I've already accepted a new position (and have had my employement visa transferred...). Apaprently, it is coming down to the issue of NETs vs. lunches. However, parents finding out that their children's schools will have no NET is not going over as well as they had thought it would. So, they are considering reversing their decision on funding.

This is all heresay, but I thought I would share it since what I've heard seems to be the same.

Quote from: xnay on February 13, 2011, 04:44:13 pm

What pops into my head is this: if they can flip-flop on this issue so easily and without considering that it's actually affecting people's lives, then what's to prevent them from doing this again on a whim?

This sums up my feelings well. As I said to my co-teacher when he brought this up, because of this situation, I would likely not take a position in a public school again.

Chelleinkorea · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2011, 02:21:48 pm »

I'm surprised to see that nobody has posted anything about the recent GEPIK budget cuts and the fact several people (15 that I know personally) are now jobless.
I am one of these people. I returned on Monday after a holiday in South Africa to be told very casually that my school will not be able to honor the contract they signed with me in December last year because of GEPIK budget cuts.
I have a week and a day to find another job before my contract runs out.

It sounds like no one - not even my coordinator- knows what is going on.
What a mess.

Pearl4885 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:45:15 pm »

My school just got word today that they will not receive funding for a NET this year. I wasn't planning on renewing, so I am not heartbroken.. but my contract doesn't end until the end of June. When I asked my co-teacher if she thinks there is a chance they couldn't pay me for the end of my contract, she said "it should be fine..." Has anyone heard of anyone being let-go before their contract has expired because of budget cuts? A huge reason I'm staying the whole year is because the pay-out at the end is so big (housing deposit, pension, and severance...). I'm a little concerned about getting shorted. Anyone else?

Joss · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:59:42 pm »

Pearl4885 - Are you a government employee?

I have an EPIK 03-2010 contract.
My contract lists specific reasons that they can terminate you. (Breaking the law, inability to do the assigned tasks etc.) They also must give you three written notices or warnings before termination. They can't just break the contract without giving you some warning AND form of severance pay. I would imagine that it's in their best interest to follow through with the full length of the contract. Even if they are cutting funding for the next group, I can't imagine them not accounting for the current employees.

Maybe taking another look at your contract to look for specifics like this will help put your mind at ease.

Good luck!

Burndog · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2011, 03:14:27 pm »

Quote from: Pearl4885 on February 15, 2011, 02:45:15 pm

My school just got word today that they will not receive funding for a NET this year. I wasn't planning on renewing, so I am not heartbroken.. but my contract doesn't end until the end of June. When I asked my co-teacher if she thinks there is a chance they couldn't pay me for the end of my contract, she said "it should be fine..." Has anyone heard of anyone being let-go before their contract has expired because of budget cuts? A huge reason I'm staying the whole year is because the pay-out at the end is so big (housing deposit, pension, and severance...). I'm a little concerned about getting shorted. Anyone else?

Don't worry...your school receives a full year of money for you at the START of your contract...your contract will be honoured. Don't panic!

Pearl4885 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2011, 03:22:10 pm »

Awesome. Thanks so much! Sorry to everyone out there who was hoping to renew, but can't!

plain.scrambled.eggs · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:47:47 am »

I heard of someone being let go before his contract ended. It was in GEPIK, but I can't remember which area of Gyeonggi-do, so it probably doesn't apply in your case.

Anyways, the school gave the teacher a lot of notice. They said that they could keep him for four more months and then gave him the option of leaving early so that he could transfer into another job, since the beginning of March is the best job start time.

I'm betting that it depends on your location and school. My salary is paid by 3 parties: the city, the school, and Gyeonggi-do. My co-teachers told me that some salaries are divided up differently. I really don't know how it works, but it has something to do with location, I think. This being Korea, there are probably 100 other factors too....

I should find out if my school can keep me today. I'm In Guri/Namyangju.

kerchel227 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2011, 06:14:36 pm »

where can we find out which schools are on the list to be debudgeted

mycombs · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2011, 11:56:44 am »

Any updates on this? If this is really affecting 450+ teachers, I would love to hear their stories! I still can't believe this would really happen...

News:

Author Topic: Re: Re: GEPIK is Finished (Read 22515 times)