Thai govt gets warning from temp-contract teachers and school clerks

[webfact]

Govt gets warning from temp staff
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT,
CHULEEPORN ARAMNET
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Temporary-contract teachers and school clerks are threatening to stage a massive protest if the government continues to exclude them from its policy to provide monthly pay of at least Bt15,000 for bachelor-degree holders.

More than 800 gathered in front of Government House yesterday to press for higher pay. Currently, many teachers on temporary contracts earn just Bt5,000 a month.

When Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang assured them that the Cabinet would consider their demands next month, the protesters dispersed peacefully but vowed to return if their demands went unheeded.

"We have been waiting for two years already," protest leader Wittapong Phumboonpark said.

He added that he believes more than 65,000 temporary-contract workers under the Office of Basic Education Commission would join the protest if the government did not approve a pay increase as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, students of the Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) Faculty of Education attacked Chaturon's idea of allowing professionals from various fields to work as teachers.

Chaturon had floated the idea in the hope of solving the shortage of teachers with specialised knowledge.

"It's unfair to students who have studied to become teachers," student leader Kris Kongpia said.

He pointed out that teachers needed more than knowledge to conduct their classes.

"Teachers must know about child psychology. They must have the attitudes and the soul of teachers," Kris said.

He was speaking at a seminar at the SWU entitled: "What will happen if Thai teachers do not need to carry a licence?"

Kris said his group would urge the education deans to ask Chaturon to scrap his idea.

"We also plan to request a meeting with the education minister on September 25 to air our opinions," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-09-18

[gosompoi]

Every school I have been to these temp-teachers teach for years making between 5,000 to 8,000 hoping someday to be government teachers.

[MartinL]

My stepson and his girlfriend are both in this position. Both are teaching graduates but can only find part-time work although the school requires them to be there all day just in case they're needed at a moment's notice. On top of this, the school has told my stepson that, if he looks for other work and they find-out about it - something that is quite possible given the back-stabbing nature of many at that school - he'll be sacked on the spot. This makes him very reluctant to search for other work or to take Government teacher tests just in case he's not successful. Many teachers have been at the same private school for 20+ years - one of his colleagues taught him when he attended nursery at this school. Is it possible similar threats have been made to them? A truly disgusting state of affairs and one which doesn't encourage them to give of their best. Son & girlfriend make more each month by giving Sunday tuition to a dozen kids at her home and could probably make more selling noodles on the street.

[schondie]

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang's idea about hiring professionals from other professions to teach isn't a bad idea at all. Having met so many Thai English teachers that can hardly say a word in English is scandalous. Why not hire responsible and well vetted people that have worked in hotels, tour companies or in foreign countries to teach English?

I've met some great English speakers that used to work in hotels and speak much better English than some of the native speakers I've met.

[gosompoi]

My stepson and his girlfriend are both in this position. Both are teaching graduates but can only find part-time work although the school requires them to be there all day just in case they're needed at a moment's notice. On top of this, the school has told my stepson that, if he looks for other work and they find-out about it - something that is quite possible given the back-stabbing nature of many at that school - he'll be sacked on the spot. This makes him very reluctant to search for other work or to take Government teacher tests just in case he's not successful. Many teachers have been at the same private school for 20+ years - one of his colleagues taught him when he attended nursery at this school. Is it possible similar threats have been made to them? A truly disgusting state of affairs and one which doesn't encourage them to give of their best. Son & girlfriend make more each month by giving Sunday tuition to a dozen kids at her home and could probably make more selling noodles on the street.

This only happens in the schools. Another example is Teachers are forced to buy their own computers or laptops or printer but every other government office provides a computer to use at work. The immigration dept, tax dept, land office, or labor department all provide employees with computers but teachers no. These poor teachers are unlicensed teachers making 5,000 baht a month now need to purchase a computer to do their work for the school. Basically a free worker and free computer for the school.

[sms747]

wow 5.000 a month, and tefler falangs with no degree whine about only getting 20-30k a month

[thhMan]

The lady that sells cooked bananas down the street from me, makes double what a bachelor degree teacher makes.....

[gosompoi]

The lady that sells cooked bananas down the street from me, makes double what a bachelor degree teacher makes.....

They are making less than the 300 baht minimum wage, they are required to buy uniforms, and when needed work evenings and weekends.

[gosompoi]

Time for employment reform.

[TackyToo]

"It's unfair to students who have studied to become teachers," student leader Kris Kongpia said.

First and foremost in a "real education system" it is unfair to students to withhold education, expertise and information no matter from which source!

[bangon04]

wow 5.000 a month, and tefler falangs with no degree whine about only getting 20-30k a month

Well a real teacher fully qualified with experience would surely not get out of bed for 30k per month unless he had a sick buffalo to support...

[bangon04]

The 800 protesters gathered together, and with one unanimous voice they shouted....

goo moooorrrrrnnnninnngg teachah

then they held an extra long flag saluting ceremony, followed by half a day of rehearsal for the school parade..

[lee b]

5000 a month? How on earth do they survive?

[Phuket electrician]

Just because a person doesn't say much should it be considered scandalous? Here in Phuket there are many people boring the rest with self obsessed drivel. The most difficult skill in any language is the ability to listen. Sadly many people couldn't give a hoot what others have to say.

[Phuket electrician]

Also known as twaddle.

[aechzen]

its logic every year 1.2 million finished there Uni and want to start to work , and 60% no found work

[lemoncake]

I am confused, how are they paid 5000 when the minimum is 9000?

They not working full time?

[mrwebb8825]

I am confused, how are they paid 5000 when the minimum is 9000?

They not working full time?

There are 2 pay scales in Thailand: Full Year and Partial Year. (same as the tax laws) If you are not employed 365 days a year you fall under the Partial scale.

Good for folks to remember also for filing your own taxes. If you had a gap in your yearly employment, you will owe much less tax.

[diehard60]

Welcome to the Thai Education System. For those of you that might be shocked, this has been going on for more years then I can remember and I have been teaching here for over 20 years. Now I am retired. Hahahaha.

[Thai at Heart]

Yukk

[winstonc]

bet that minister,s on i little bit more than 5,000 grand a day......parasite,,,,,probably blackmail with the vague promise of a fulltime post,,show your loyalty while we do bugger all,i think,,good morning all..

[RickeyParkany]

Slave Hub... ;-} rap.

[jerry1989]

With 5,000 a month...i don't think i can survive for a month, but i wonder how some can afford costly beauty products for their ugly faces, :-( ;-)

[bubbob]

15,000 baht per month salary for all university graduates.

Just one of many Yingluck's and PTP's bald-faced lies.