Teaching Positions and Thai Labor Law

[mrwebb8825]

Wasn't sure where to put this so mods, please move to get the best answers. There's a debate at my school because they are trying to assign foreign English, Math and Science teachers to also teach P.E. They have Thai P.E. teachers but apparently not enough because some of the kids are revolting against participating in swimming, basketball, soccer, etc. and would rather play video games, card games. The school director has sloughed off these kids onto the foreign teaching staff and is insisting we add to our schedules and fabricate a special class for the students to get points.

P.E. is part of the core curriculum for 1 thing. Another thing is what could happen to the foreign teacher if 1 of the kids gets hurt. Another objection is that teaching P.E. is a job a Thai can do and therefor could be illegal for a foreigner to do. Then there's the contract dispute where we are all listed in our specialized designation as English teacher, Math teacher, Science teacher and doesn't include P.E. Then there's my personal adversity to teaching physical sports as I'm nearly 61 with back, neck and shoulder issues and playing basketball with a group of 8 year old kids doesn't help that.

Are there any rules or laws that we have on our side to refuse this or do we have to take it in the shorts or find another job?

[Kwasaki]

Just let them play basketball with one another on there phones, you relax and sit back with your feet up and have beer. 

[DavisH]

Teach them extra English..they will soon be back on the playing field!

In the past we had a foreign PE teacher - no problems legally with that. 

[Scott]

Chances are it may violate your contract, but it doesn't seem to rise to the level of breaking Thai law.  We employ native English speaking PE teachers.  They teach PE in English.  The argument that a Thai person can do it pretty much applies to all teaching positions.   The law isn't specific enough to say 'teach it well.'  

 

I'd say do your best to get out of it, but if you can't, then do the best you can.  Try to put together a curriculum that fits with what you can do and if you can't participate, that should not be required. 

Best of luck.  

 

[BritManToo]

18 hours ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Then there's my personal adversity to teaching physical sports as I'm nearly 61 with back, neck and shoulder issues and playing basketball with a group of 8 year old kids doesn't help that.

Are there any rules or laws that we have on our side to refuse this or do we have to take it in the shorts or find another job?

PE teachers don't have to participate in the physical activity.

Your place is to instruct, but mainly try to stop the little darlings killing each other and adjudicate disagreements.

What's wrong with them playing cricket, rounders, badminton or table tennis?

Edited September 11, 2020 by BritManToo

[Baerboxer]

"Another objection is that teaching P.E. is a job a Thai can do and therefor could be illegal for a foreigner to do. "

 

Not correct. There are plenty of foreign teachers here who teach PE (some better than others!) whilst also teaching other subjects. 

 

I wouldn't hang your arguments on your interpretations of Thai law, contract and labor. If you can do so just do it. If not, then explain why you can't. Maybe get them doing some different sports, or physical training? The more you get involved the more you'll be appreciated.

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by Baerboxer

[ericthai]

Teach them dodge ball!

[DavisH]

...or do like our Thai PE teacher does - sit in the office and observe the kids playing sports. You certainly don't need to participate. I'm sure they can manage a game of football, basketball or badminton by themselves. They are genetically predosposed to those sports lol

[mrwebb8825]

The school has the P4, 5 and 6 classes scheduled for swimming atm. I DID try with basketball before the swimming thing as it's hard for me to decline those tiny little faces asking for my help in dribbling, shooting, etc. but it caused me to need to increase my back and shoulder meds which isn't good. I'm looking to retire in 2 1/2 years and don't want to be hurt any more than I already am.

The school has a tendency to "dump" anything the Thais don't want to do on us if it requires thought and effort.

[teacherclaire]

On 9/11/2020 at 3:05 PM, Kwasaki said:

Just let them play basketball with one another on there phones, you relax and sit back with your feet up and have beer. 

Some Ya Dong should be possible. ( Kidding)

 

 P.E. is part of the core curriculum for 1 thing. Another thing is what could happen to the foreign teacher if 1 of the kids gets hurt. Another objection is that teaching P.E. is a job a Thai can do and therefor could be illegal for a foreigner to do

 

The school has insurance, and foreign teachers are allowed to teach PE, swimming, etc. Being 61 is not an excuse not to teach PE.

 

   You don't have to play; only give commands in English. 

 

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by teacherclaire

[J Town]

The largest private school system in Southeast Asia has both Thai and NES teachers in all P.E. classes.

[Kwasaki]

3 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

Some Ya Dong should be possible. ( Kidding)

 

 P.E. is part of the core curriculum for 1 thing. Another thing is what could happen to the foreign teacher if 1 of the kids gets hurt. Another objection is that teaching P.E. is a job a Thai can do and therefor could be illegal for a foreigner to do

 

The school has insurance, and foreign teachers are allowed to teach PE, swimming, etc. Being 61 is not an excuse not to teach PE.

 

   You don't have to play; only give commands in English. 

 

 

Yeah understandable, I had a teacher job in my village school for 2 days that was the extent of my teaching career in Thailand.

 

Funny story, an Oz friend of mine worked in a school full of farmers kids,  some of them disrupted class a lot, so when one of the ring leaders put his hand up and asked can I go to sleep he said y

YES, YES and yes to all those who followed him. ????????

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by Kwasaki

[AlfHuy]

try to teach Ping Pong.

[Kwasaki]

2 hours ago, AlfHuy said:

try to teach Ping Pong.

As long as they eye protection and safety helmet a good idea. ????

[mrwebb8825]

18 hours ago, J Town said:

The largest private school system in Southeast Asia has both Thai and NES teachers in all P.E. classes.

this is a government school so the rules are different to a private or international school system.

The problem is also that 8 year old kids are learning they can tell the school and teachers to stick it when they don't want to do something and they get passed anyway.

They've also learned that there is no punishment for their behavior and short of stabbing someone or coughing up blood, the school will NEVER contact the parents so it's an "inmates are running the asylum" senario.

[mrwebb8825]

19 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

Being 61 is not an excuse not to teach PE.

it's not so much the age as the milage. ????

Edited September 15, 2020 by mrwebb8825

[teacherclaire]

On 9/15/2020 at 8:45 AM, mrwebb8825 said:

it's not so much the age as the milage. ????

Certain exercises might be good for some people who are used to sit down all day long.

 

   But yes, some people seem to live much faster. 

[Kwasaki]

On 9/15/2020 at 8:42 AM, mrwebb8825 said:

this is a government school so the rules are different to a private or international school system.

The problem is also that 8 year old kids are learning they can tell the school and teachers to stick it when they don't want to do something and they get passed anyway.

They've also learned that there is no punishment for their behavior and short of stabbing someone or coughing up blood, the school will NEVER contact the parents so it's an "inmates are running the asylum" senario.

I can concur a bit but in and around Sukhothai they toughing up more and visiting parents homes,  not good losing face. 

 

On the other my Thai friend had a young lad in one of classes that he could see wanted to learn but over some years as he got older he just started to drop out. 

My friend ask to speak after a lesson with him and said you were doing so well, so why no interest now. 

He said my father told me I'm the eldest you have to work the farm when you finish school no college for you so no point in learning except farm. 

Kinda sad really.

 

[recom273]

Been here. done it - I am also a way out of condition but I had to put on my track bottoms and T-shirt once a week, although I only sat around for one lesson pretending to teach PE. It was alright, but you need to put a bit of effort in. At Britman says, you just stand there with a whistle looking the part.

 

I am not suprised that the Thai kids find PE boring, they sit and write the rules of Badminton, maybe they just want the kids to have a western influenced PE lesson.

 

You can start with 5 mins of meditation, play dodgeball, chair-robics. punish (for fun) them by laying back and getting them to lift their legs in the air - I had some great games - I got a huge twister mat printed at a banner shop - full size hungry hippo with a load of cheap balls from big C and two washing baskets.

 

Then there are games like this, if the class are disciplined to pull them off.

 

 

 

Sorry if this isn't what you are looking for, it seems like you have 2 choices - their way or the long way - but from experience, it isn't all that bad. You might want to suggest that teaching PE is pretty specialist, although you can apply yourself and adapt.

[mrwebb8825]

I appreciate the encouraging words and suggestions. Seems my debate with the school admins paid off a little as last week a P.E. teacher from the P.E. dept. actually showed up for their P.E. class. I think I impressed upon them that if an 8 yr old is learning that he/she can tell the school to stick it when it comes to P.E. then how long will it be before it moves to Math, Science, Thai, English, Religion, etc.

In western style education there are electives starting in Jr. High so the education is still well rounded but integrated with life choices and P.E. is being completely replaced with sports programs.