Increase in EPIK housing subsidy?

I don't think EPIK has anything to do with this. It's a funding issue that is decided independently by each MOE or POE. Some have chosen to allocate more budget to schools in their area, probably due to rising rent making it difficult to find housing close to the school with only a 400k  budget. Some POEs/MOEs have given that same allocation to NETs regardless of whether it's a stipend or not (which is nice). Unfortunately I'm not in one of those areas (and from the sound of it, likewise for you). 

Also, not giving you the multiple school allowance is actually a NEIS issue. In order to qualify for multi-school allowance, you are required to log into NEIS that you are going to all of your branch schools *at least* once in a month. If you haven't entered them in, then the system doesn't recognize that you qualify for the multi-school allowance for that month.

There are 2 possible solutions to the issue:
- (lawful good) Make sure you go to all your branch schools at least once per month, and log it into NEIS.
- (lawful evil)    Make sure you enter into NEIS that you went to your branch schools at least once a month. Keep in mind that the VP and P look at and approve all business travel (including going to branch schools every week), so they'll need to be in on the scam if you aren't actually going to them.   

My school is ok with it in the summer, cause there is usually at least 1 week of school in both july and August, so even if I don't go to my travel school, I can usually get away with doing it once in both months - and it was my old co-teacher who told me I should do it for the extra money. xD

My school is ok with it in the summer, cause there is usually at least 1 week of school in both july and August, so even if I don't go to my travel school, I can usually get away with doing it once in both months - and it was my old co-teacher who told me I should do it for the extra money. xD

Really, I have never once used this neis or logged into a computer.  If the ed office assigns me multiple schools for the year then they pay me multiple allowances.  As for vacation, I can choose to go to every school or to go to one school.  No one cares.  I still get paid my money for that year until the end of February the next year.  I do have to fill out a form when I want to take vacation and if I have a sick day.   But I don't sign an attendance sheet or anything like that.  It's assumed I am here unless I am signed out.  Though usually something small like going to the bank usually isn't counted if it's a short trip.  (But that may depend on the school and how anal they are.) 

Really, I have never once used this neis or logged into a computer.  If the ed office assigns me multiple schools for the year then they pay me multiple allowances.  As for vacation, I can choose to go to every school or to go to one school.  No one cares.  I still get paid my money for that year until the end of February the next year.  I do have to fill out a form when I want to take vacation and if I have a sick day.   But I don't sign an attendance sheet or anything like that.  It's assumed I am here unless I am signed out.  Though usually something small like going to the bank usually isn't counted if it's a short trip.  (But that may depend on the school and how anal they are.)

Someone else is entering it into NEIS for you. Normally they'd show you how to do it and from then you'd be able to keep doing it yourself.

No one in my area has ever done this.  I have talked to other teachers.  No one uses it.  Whatever your province does is different from mine.  If you had any intelligence, you'd realize that.  Your intellectual deficiency causes you not to see beyond your own circumstances.  (Or maybe I am just smart enough to make them do it if it's all in Korean?)

It's because of your limited brain function that the teachers at your school think you'd be unable to follow step-by-step instructions. But you could be right and everything might be handled on pen and paper. No NEIS in your province.

No one in my area has ever done this.  I have talked to other teachers.  No one uses it.  Whatever your province does is different from mine.  If you had any intelligence, you'd realize that.  Your intellectual deficiency causes you not to see beyond your own circumstances.  (Or maybe I am just smart enough to make them do it if it's all in Korean?)

This statement begins with an absolute "no one does this in my area", and finishes with a "it's possible it's done in my area." 

This statement begins with an absolute "no one does this in my area", and finishes with a "it's possible it's done in my area." 

This makes no sense.  Re read what I wrote.  No one does it in my area.  That's what I said. 

Hangook I thought you were reasonably proficient in Korean? I think I've seen you say you knew Korean better than many foreigners do, although you had slacked off a bit in continued studies. I think you could handle the Korean aspect of NEIS.

Van on the other hand I expect would probably shart himself if asked to do so.

The national government via EPIK gives them the 500k.  It is suppose t be for housing.  The more honest education offices have given it straight to the teachers.  The others who nickle and dime everything are keeping it and using elsewhere for something it is not intended. 

EPIK is a glorified government-backed recruiting agency.
They do not pay our wages, housing subsidies or anything. They are responsible solely for hiring us, training us, and for acting as a liaison between us and our POEs/MOEs.
To reiterate, we might be EPIK teachers, but we do not work for EPIK. Our employer is our regional ministry of education.
That POE/MOE gives an amount of money earmarked for housing either to the school, or directly to us. They determine how much that amount will be.
The schools are not likely to be nickel and dimeing us because they need to show their accounting to the ministry of education. Saving a few hundred thousand won a year is not a lot of return on a pretty hefty risk. The folk doing the nickel-and-dimeing would be the POE/MOE, and it would be entirely legal, unfortunately. 

No one in my area has ever done this.  I have talked to other teachers.  No one uses it.  Whatever your province does is different from mine.  If you had any intelligence, you'd realize that.  Your intellectual deficiency causes you not to see beyond your own circumstances.  (Or maybe I am just smart enough to make them do it if it's all in Korean?) 

All EPIK teachers are logged into the NEIS system. It's a requirement for all teachers who work for the Korean government. Most of us are fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to have our 'handlers' do it all for us.
 
Also, I find that I'm a lot more aware of how the paperwork side of our jobs works now that I'm doing more of it myself, and while it's a bit of extra effort, I've definitely benefitted from that knowledge. I mean, point in case, I find that I'm a lot more understanding about giving myself an extra vacation day or two during the summer period than pretty much anybody else would be.
  Also (more seriously), because I do this for myself, I know to go to my branch schools at least once a month so that I don't lose my multiple school bonus, know how to apply for travel expenses when I go to orientations etc, know how to give myself leave-with-pay for visa related trips to the immigration office, etc etc.


If you're interested in handling NEIS by yourself (and I would recommend doing so!), somebody posted this "NEIS-how-to-guide" a long time ago, and I've found it very helpful.
https://terainkorea.wordpress.com/2019/06/04/using-neis-%EB%82%98%EC%9D%B4%EC%8A%A4-as-an-expat-will-be-updated-with-more-info/

Here's a more detailed guide that takes a bit longer to read:
https://412d3a95-47ad-41f8-855a-b3fdd8bcdd57.filesusr.com/ugd/26e082_749ebad047ca4470b33f683579203a78.pdf

Hangook I thought you were reasonably proficient in Korean? I think I've seen you say you knew Korean better than many foreigners do, although you had slacked off a bit in continued studies. I think you could handle the Korean aspect of NEIS.

Van on the other hand I expect would probably shart himself if asked to do so.

I know some.  But I usually refuse to do most Korean things as there are still some things I can still make mistakes on.  However, I don't have the option of refusing as I nor any other teachers have been presented with anything like this.  I think it's quite rude and inconsiderate for a school or co teacher to hand off a Korean system to a newly arrived by airplane teacher and expect them to know how to do everything from scratch.  I think that's why I would push back on that as a matter of principle.  I could probably figure out something if I were presented.  But my whole point is I nor any teachers I know have been presented with any of this.  I just go to school to teach. 

I think it's quite rude and inconsiderate for a school or co teacher to hand off a Korean system to a newly arrived by airplane teacher and expect them to know how to do everything

You've been here for nearly 20 years.

This makes no sense.  Re read what I wrote.  No one does it in my area.  That's what I said.

If no one does it in your area (they all are on NEIS) than how could you possibly suggest there is a chance you're just clever enough to get them to do it on your behalf if it's all in Korean?  That makes no sense whatsoever.  If no one in your area uses it (impossible) then there would no chance of you being smart enough to get someone to do it for you.  I can't believe I have to explain a second time how you completely contradicted yourself.  And if it makes sense why did you delete it?

EPIK is a glorified government-backed recruiting agency.
They do not pay our wages, housing subsidies or anything. They are responsible solely for hiring us, training us, and for acting as a liaison between us and our POEs/MOEs.
To reiterate, we might be EPIK teachers, but we do not work for EPIK. Our employer is our regional ministry of education.
That POE/MOE gives an amount of money earmarked for housing either to the school, or directly to us. They determine how much that amount will be.
The schools are not likely to be nickel and dimeing us because they need to show their accounting to the ministry of education. Saving a few hundred thousand won a year is not a lot of return on a pretty hefty risk. The folk doing the nickel-and-dimeing would be the POE/MOE, and it would be entirely legal, unfortunately. 
All EPIK teachers are logged into the NEIS system. It's a requirement for all teachers who work for the Korean government. Most of us are fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to have our 'handlers' do it all for us.
 
Also, I find that I'm a lot more aware of how the paperwork side of our jobs works now that I'm doing more of it myself, and while it's a bit of extra effort, I've definitely benefitted from that knowledge. I mean, point in case, I find that I'm a lot more understanding about giving myself an extra vacation day or two during the summer period than pretty much anybody else would be.
  Also (more seriously), because I do this for myself, I know to go to my branch schools at least once a month so that I don't lose my multiple school bonus, know how to apply for travel expenses when I go to orientations etc, know how to give myself leave-with-pay for visa related trips to the immigration office, etc etc.

The provincial offices do get some of their funding from the federal government.  Some local areas also get some additional funding from local city halls and county governments as well.  I have repeatedly been told this officially by officials at the POE over the years.  The POEs decide who to hire once EPIK interviews.  Best job pics, right "demographic", etc. 

I can tell you when I was in the country years ago, they would actually refuse to pay the multiple school allowance during vacations but would send us to one school for the week  to do camps even if some schools were a long bus ride away.  They were pocketing it.  They also refused to let us get our own place even though the contract said we could get our own place and 400k.  Greedy corrupt pricks.  But on the plus side they were pretty relaxed about other things like going home at noon during vacations and leaving early during the school year.  Exam and field trip days stayed home.  But that was going away as I transferred out anyways.  There were too many foreigners coming to Korea by this time.  The local education office was spending this money saved on a trip or some nice dinners for themselves instead.  When I moved to a bigger city, I always got the multiple school allowance even during the vacations.  Less corrupt. 

If no one does it in your area (they all are on NEIS) than how could you possibly suggest there is a chance you're just clever enough to get them to do it on your behalf if it's all in Korean?  That makes no sense whatsoever.  If no one in your area uses it (impossible) then there would ne chance of you being smart enough to get someone to do it for you.  I can't believe I have to explain a second time how you completely contradicted yourself.  And if it makes sense why did you delete it?

 

I was speaking hypothetically, dummy.  My point is I have never used this system ever.  We have had a sign out sheet for about 10 years.  They brought in these bad contracts saying that if you sign out for 8 hours a day you must give up a vacation day.  Thankfully none of my schools enforced that.  I thought it was terrible at the time.  But then a couple of years ago they made it worse by saying you must give up vacation time right away.  Retards.  Anyways, its possible this sign out sheet could be based on this.  Before 10 years ago there was nothing.  Just go to the bank, go for a walk, leave after last class.  Do whatever you want.  Was pretty chill.  (Though I do think Seoul was strict from day one.)

 

I was speaking hypothetically, dummy.  My point is I have never used this system ever. 

Good Lord! 

Good Lord!

Of course it was hypothetical. In reality, we all know 77 is not "smart."

The provincial offices do get some of their funding from the federal government.  Some local areas also get some additional funding from local city halls and county governments as well.  I have repeatedly been told this officially by officials at the POE over the years.  The POEs decide who to hire once EPIK interviews.  Best job pics, right "demographic", etc. 

That's true enough, but my point was that if you're in EPIK, you are not being paid directly by your school. It's either the POE/MOE, or in some cases, by the municipal government (which is usually the case if the school doesn't qualify for funding from the province (ie special curriculum, or they already have a contract NET/KET in their English department etc)).

I can tell you when I was in the country years ago, they would...

Ah, I'm talking about presently.
I know things were a bit less... legit... back in the day.
I was lucky enough to catch the tag end of those wild west days. 

But seriously, I would strongly recommend taking responsibility for NEIS yourself. There are a lot of benefits.

Of course it was hypothetical. In reality, we all know 77 is not "smart."

Anyone with such a creepy obsession like you star crossed lovers are definitely the opposite of smart.

(Though those online IQ tests are not fully scientific, I guess I won't fully read into all those 125 to 135 scores I have ranged in.  Last one was 130.) 

That's true enough, but my point was that if you're in EPIK, you are not being paid directly by your school. It's either the POE/MOE, or in some cases, by the municipal government (which is usually the case if the school doesn't qualify for funding from the province (ie special curriculum, or they already have a contract NET/KET in their English department etc)).
Ah, I'm talking about presently.
I know things were a bit less... legit... back in the day.
I was lucky enough to catch the tag end of those wild west days. 

But seriously, I would strongly recommend taking responsibility for NEIS yourself. There are a lot of benefits.

I know one dude who speaks Korean and signs up for their messenger service and gets all the announcements.  No benefit to him cause they quote all the rules to him.  Not so smart.  Stay out of the loop and fall vaguely between the cracks.  Much smarter that way.  This dude gets every rule quoted to him and ends up being more controlled because he "should know".  Better to plead ignorant and stay a bit out of the loop. 

(Though those online IQ tests are not fully scientific, I guess I won't fully read into all those 125 to 135 scores I have ranged in.  Last one was 130.)

Still smarter than you office boy....