What is this waiver nonsense all about?!

[FrankThePlumber]

I have been teaching at the same school for 8 years now and have used up 4 waivers. My school never, ever mentioned a thing about this until now so I have been totally unaware about this requirement.

I live up country and teach at a local school for 33k per month. I plan on going home in the next few years when my son is 5 so I have around 3 years left in Thailand.

With that in mind, I simply cannot justify paying upwards of 150k for the PGCEi never mind afford it. I have no long term aspirations of teaching or do I long for a job at an international school. I'm happy where I am for now, with my salary and I'm too focussed on my family and teaching my classes to think about studying more.

Do I have any other options? Surely they can't put me out of work because of this, but a backpacker coming for a few months to show up hungover every Monday is all good?

I'm angry and upset thinking about it. I have a BA in TESOL and a CELTA. What more do I need to teach at a government school in Isaan?!

Any help guys?

Thanks,
Frank

[A1Str8]

The best thing is to talk directly to an immigration employee. 

 

But the word focused is written with one s.

Don't teach the wrong version to those poor kids.

[FrankThePlumber]

4 minutes ago, A1Str8 said:

The best thing is to talk directly to an immigration employee. 

 

But the word focused is written with one s.

Don't teach the wrong version to those poor kids.

I always use focussed here at our English Programme ????

[2009]

I am not sure if the PGCEi gets the Thai teachers license or not, maybe someone can correct me.

 

I heard there is a Dip Ed from a Fillipino uni offered in a transnational program (online) and is accepted by Ministry of Ed for the full license. St. Roberts. I think is the company arranging it. It is significantly cheaper, like around the value of a CELTA.

[FrankThePlumber]

Another issue is my 4th waiver is expiring in December so I don't have enough time to even complete a course if I wanted to ????

[2009]

1 minute ago, 2009 said:

I am not sure if the PGCEi gets the Thai teachers license or not, maybe someone can correct me.

 

I heard there is a Dip Ed from a Fillipino uni offered in a transnational program (online) and is accepted by Ministry of Ed for the full license. St. Roberts. I think is the company arranging it. It is significantly cheaper, like around the value of a CELTA.

But not sure if it'll help you with another 2 year waiver due to you already having used up 8 years. Should ask them

[2009]

Just now, FrankThePlumber said:

Another issue is my 4th waiver is expiring in December so I don't have enough time to even complete a course if I wanted to ????

Any language schools or universities near you?

 

There is bound to be a Rajabhat in your area.

[A1Str8]

10 minutes ago, FrankThePlumber said:

I always use focussed here at our English Programme ????

How kind of you. 

[2009]

Contact that St Roberts about getting an admission letter, chance your hand at a 5 waiver.

 

Or just study half the course between now and December.

 

I dunno. It is tricky.

 

They shouldn't have given you the 4th waiver without you being enrolled on an education course; duty of care n all that.

 

Your BA TESOL ought to get you the full license. Doesn't it?

Edited August 15, 2021 by 2009

[FrankThePlumber]

Nope they never mentioned it to me, well my school never, I had no dealings with khurusapha or even knew of their existence until 2 days ago.

BA doesn't cut it as it's bachelor of arts and not of education. Messed up system ruining people's lives.

[2009]

Teach online for a big Chinese company like iTutor.

 

What visa you on? Got a Thai kid? Wife?

[FrankThePlumber]

I looked into that but it looks like that entire industry has been shut down just last week. Married with a kid but still using Non B but will try and switch to Non O if I can't get a job. Won't last long with a kid and very little savings.

[2009]

1 minute ago, FrankThePlumber said:

Nope they never mentioned it to me, well my school never, I had no dealings with khurusapha or even knew of their existence until 2 days ago.

BA doesn't cut it as it's bachelor of arts and not of education. Messed up system ruining people's lives.

I assume you are in an Isaan city if you are on 33k, rather than a little village (or at least within driving distance).

 

There will be a uni. Get a uni job. No worries with krusapa.

[FrankThePlumber]

Yeah I'm in KK and will start job hunting tomorrow. I believe language schools don't have this requirement too?

[2009]

2 minutes ago, FrankThePlumber said:

I looked into that but it looks like that entire industry has been shut down just last week. Married with a kid but still using Non B but will try and switch to Non O if I can't get a job. Won't last long with a kid and very little savings.

You do know you need 400k in the bank for family visa, right?

[FrankThePlumber]

Yeah I have that, just about haha

[2009]

Just now, FrankThePlumber said:

Yeah I'm in KK and will start job hunting tomorrow. I believe language schools don't have this requirement too?

KK, jeez, there will likely be about three for four unis, I would guess.

 

Yeah, but language schools might not do the Non B for you. 

[FrankThePlumber]

3 minutes ago, steven100 said:

and try to stay off the booze between classes ....

Haven't drank alcohol once in my life. Thanks for the helpful comment.

[papa al]

58 minutes ago, 2009 said:

Teach online for a big Chinese company like iTutor.

 

What visa you on? Got a Thai kid? Wife?

China is  shutting down companies like iTutor.

[bkkflyer]

3 hours ago, FrankThePlumber said:

Haven't drank alcohol once in my life. Thanks for the helpful comment.

Then start drinking ????

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

Going to his local Rajabhat could help him in two ways:

 

1) As said, he could get a job there. Unis don't require the khurusapha license.

 

2) He could enroll in a course there for his professional development. A former colleague of mine did this. Khurusapha didn't want to give him another waiver, though they are happy to see "progress being made toward meeting their requirements" or somesuch. Proof of the course got him another waiver.

 

This only buys you another year tho. During this time you'd have to get started on something to finally get the full license, such as that Filipino degree.

 

But ah, I see we're nitpicking his grammar and questioning his drinking habits. Stay classy guys.

[wmlc]

Why is it nonsense? You had 8 years to take the necessary courses. Why didn’t you do it. That’s what the waivers are for. To give teachers time to get the necessary qualifications for the teaching license. Sorry to say but you are wrong!

[MrJ2U]

I don't blame you.

 

Can the head of the school help facilitate a visa?

 

 

[mikebike]

Hard to believe that over that long period you did not have the curiousity to learn what the actual teaching requirements are/were.

 

Of the foreign teachers I know,it is a constant topic of discussion.

[recom273]

On 8/15/2021 at 9:16 PM, FrankThePlumber said:

Yeah I'm in KK and will start job hunting tomorrow. I believe language schools don't have this requirement too?

Yes, many agencies have a magical “blanket waiver” 

 

Where did you do a BA TESOL? Didn’t they mention if it will qualify?

 

The thing that always strikes me, all these critical experts here and no one can give you a straight answer? I have never come across anyone who met the requirements apart from a mate who had the assistance of his international school, he ended up doing several qualifications including a masters in BKK.

 

The school might help, immigration might brush over the waiver for a visa.

 

I went the online teaching route, but if I were you, maybe get a non-o extension for marriage and a WP (I’m sure they aren’t concerned) and ask if the school can cover you. You are correct, a higher teaching qualification for a 33K job is a joke. 

[fulhamster]

"Do I have any other options? Surely they can't put me out of work because of this, but a backpacker coming for a few months to show up hungover every Monday is all good?"

 

The backpacker won't be on 33K
 

[friendphil]

Very interesting post, this.  What is funny (as in 'odd' or 'peculiar' or 'interesting') is that the question asked in the title never really gets squarely answered. I was teaching in Thailand for about five years, and never heard of this "waiver business".  However, I can well imagine, given the inventiveness of Thai bureaucrats. I eventually got tired of the runaround and was able to escape back to the US.  Here (in California) there are different requirements, and less "runaround" and jumping through hoops. 

Well, I'm missing my point: What is this waiver business? Can someone (or several) explain, please? 

[LongTimeLurker]

40 minutes ago, friendphil said:

Very interesting post, this.  What is funny (as in 'odd' or 'peculiar' or 'interesting') is that the question asked in the title never really gets squarely answered. I was teaching in Thailand for about five years, and never heard of this "waiver business".  However, I can well imagine, given the inventiveness of Thai bureaucrats. I eventually got tired of the runaround and was able to escape back to the US.  Here (in California) there are different requirements, and less "runaround" and jumping through hoops. 

Well, I'm missing my point: What is this waiver business? Can someone (or several) explain, please? 

Not being in the teaching business myself, what I take from this thread is that if you're under qualified to be a teacher you have a 'waiver' of X years in which to become qualified.

 

So in the OP case he has some teaching qualifications but has to maintain 'continuing development' in his teaching career in order to maintain a teaching licence.

[DavisH]

4 hours ago, fulhamster said:

"Do I have any other options? Surely they can't put me out of work because of this, but a backpacker coming for a few months to show up hungover every Monday is all good?"

 

The backpacker won't be on 33K
 

...and there are no or very few backpackers now. 

The OP should:

1) Find work with a language school (probably easier to get than a University). Universities usually want a Master's as a minimum, but could ge lucky), Hopefully they will give the Non-B, or

2) Scrounge up 400K for an extension based on marriage. (or 40K / month salary). , or

3) Enrol in an online course and hope they give another extension based on "progress to being qualified". Try the St Robert's course. I don't know much about course that myself. 

 

 

[FrankThePlumber]

Thanks for your replies guys.

As previously mentioned, I live in KK and am one of 2 English teachers at my school. My colleagues usually last 2 years max. I have a family and don't have any foreigner friends to discuss CPD with.

I have managed to get a job teaching online, thankfully.