New Regulations for Teacher's License

[Scott]

Our visa girl got a new document from the Krusapa that affects those making applications for a teacher's license. I haven't had time to review it carefully, but one of the big changes is that the university/school that granted the degree will have to send a copy of the transcript and it will have to be presented in an unopened envelope.

I imagine there are some other changes, but that one is going to be somewhat cumbersome for some people apply. It says:

"Applicants must provide an original official transcript sent to the Teachers' Council of Thailand in a sealed envelope with the institution's stam. Void if envelope opened prior to receipt. (Only degrees in Education) Or an original official degree confirmation letter for graduates of institutions. The letter from the institution shall be on the official headed paper of the institution and clearly confirm that you have successfully completed your course, including the classification you received, the dates of attendance and graduation. This letter must bear an original institution seal or stamp and signature of the Registrar sent in a sealed envelope with the institution's stamp. Void if envelope opened prior to receipt. (Only degrees in Education).

[Preacher]

I believe the unopend enveloppe from the university is actually the pactise for some time now at the teachers council and not a real policy.

[Stradavarius37]

Sealed transcripts are easily obtained from the registrar of any university that one attended. I have 3 or 4 copies of mine that are sealed, in my files.

[amerasianex]

I think that will be next to impossible to get from the USA. Their records will only go back 5years in most collage's and once your out of collage. They wont even talk to you.

[Scott]

It is not hard to get a copy of your transcript from US schools. It is fairly routine and can actually be done online. It is also fairly quick. I graduated a long time ago and it seemed that someone in officialdom in Thailand had misplaced my transcript and they wanted a new one. I sent an email to my school and they directed me to the website that explained how to do it, how to pay and how to get expedited delivery (it would not have been in a sealed envelope, but that wasn't needed at that time).

In the meantime, they decided I didn't have to resubmit it, so I didn't follow through. I have a full teaching license, by the way.

We have never had to submit any transcripts directly from the school. This part is new for us.

I have had teachers submit their transcript in a sealed and stamped envelope from the school.

For applicants from the US, we could get a verification of degree from the National Clearinghouse and that was sufficient with a copy of the degree and transcript. I assume this will not be a valid method any longer.

The biggest problem is the time delay in getting this done from some places and with the visa situation being a little tricky.

[Scott]

A post critical of grammar has been removed. Stay on topic.

[TDCNINJA]

The pay in Thailand is crap. The working conditions are crap. Teachers aren't even offered housing. How anyone would want to teach here is hard to understand.

[brewsterbudgen]

The pay in Thailand is crap. The working conditions are crap. Teachers aren't even offered housing. How anyone would want to teach here is hard to understand.

Plenty of teachers can make decent money if they're good at their job and professional. Maybe you haven't met any who are like this!

[jingjoke]

The pay in Thailand is crap. The working conditions are crap. Teachers aren't even offered housing. How anyone would want to teach here is hard to understand.

I suspect that the real reason, apart from some pocket money, is the visa that comes with teaching allows them to stay in Thailand to pursue other interests after school.

[GanDoonToonPet]

This is old news. I had to go through this a year ago when I applied for my licence. First it was a letter of confirmation in a sealed envelope, then the letter had to be sent directly to TCT. Then they reluctantly accepted transcripts after they realised that most universities outside of Thailand don't issue confirmation letters.

The pay in Thailand is crap. The working conditions are crap. Teachers aren't even offered housing. How anyone would want to teach here is hard to understand.

I've been given housing allowance with every job I've had in Thailand, along with private health insurance, visa / WP / extension paid, free breakfast / lunch & (at all but one school) a 50k+ tax free salary.

[Time Traveller]

The pay in Thailand is crap. The working conditions are crap. Teachers aren't even offered housing. How anyone would want to teach here is hard to understand.

Plenty of teachers can make decent money if they're good at their job and professional. Maybe you haven't met any who are like this!

how much is the pay range in thailand? I've got a friend who is licensed teacher in the US in mathematics and science interested.

[mrwebb8825]

I feel for the newbies just coming on board. I had 1 of the 1st, lifetime teacher licences that were issued some 14 yrs ago. That was valid until I changed schools. Used it, the culture course and my B.ed to get the new teacher licence from the newly established krusapa (TCT) 7 years ago and my newest renewal last yr. 7 page long form and copies of everything I've done to improve thai teachers and myself with 300 baht, wait 6 months from that last back log caused by the coup and I'm in like flynn. Don't need to worry about it again until the beginning of 2019. Probably require DNA samples by then.

Edited September 17, 2015 by mrwebb8825

[aidenai]

This is old news. I had to go through this a year ago when I applied for my licence. First it was a letter of confirmation in a sealed envelope, then the letter had to be sent directly to TCT. Then they reluctantly accepted transcripts after they realised that most universities outside of Thailand don't issue confirmation letters.

Yes, old news from September/ October 2014.

Edited September 17, 2015 by aidenai

[AlQaholic]

Should be easy to fake?

[aidenai]

Also this topic has been discussed on Thai Visa in October 2014.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772224-new-requirements-for-proof-of-degree-khurusapha/?p=8601068&hl=%2Bdegree+%2Bverification

[quandow]

The pay in Thailand is crap. The working conditions are crap. Teachers aren't even offered housing. How anyone would want to teach here is hard to understand.

Plenty of teachers can make decent money if they're good at their job and professional. Maybe you haven't met any who are like this!

There are basically two types of schools in Thailand (and I've worked at both): those that follow the rules and those that don't. The ones that follow the rules are GENERALLY international schools. They pay relatively well, they have decent benefits, and most importantly THEY WILL FAIL STUDENTS WHO DON'T PERFORM.

Those that DON'T follow the rules will hire just about anybody. I won't go into details, there's not enough room on the internet to post all their faults. They DO pay crap, the benefits are as little as they can get away with, and they adhere to the NO STUDENT LEFT BEHIND policy of all pass system.

Bottom line? IMHO, Thailand is making it more difficult for decent, qualified teachers to work here; this is the wrong way to attempt making Thailand the "Hub of Education."

[Khun Paul]

Oh well making it harder for some and nigh on impossible for others will mean of course a dearth of teaching posts and a complete lack of properly qualified teachers. Do you not just love it when they moan about educational standards and in the same breath almost do away with all possible help from those that enjoy teaching . Plus of course the pay apart from Bangkok and possibly Chiang Mai, is well below a reasonable level hence the vast amount of retired people that apply get a visa and do an excellent job in assisting in the education of Secondary school students. Now they will completely almost wipe out that pool of expertise, so in truth they are shooting themselves in the foot. Normal Thai Government Ministry attitude , blame anyone else except themselves for poor education, badly qualified foreigners etc:- Schools will now employ Agency teachers who in the main do not give a damn just attend and teach, quality and expertise are low on the credentials required to teach. I​ know I have seen them at work to them it is just a job, they do not really care about the children at all. .

[mrwebb8825]

Thailand doesn't need to be the "Hub of Education" anymore. They now hold the claim to being the "Hub of Metorite Fragmants Scattered Over an Entire National Park".

[joshstiles]

this is not a ruling... "successfully" done

[lostmebike]

This isn`t news.

I wonder, how deep in the boonies is the mod?

[Suradit69]

I think that will be next to impossible to get from the USA. Their records will only go back 5years in most collage's and once your out of collage. They wont even talk to you.

"Their records will only go back 5years in most collage's[sic] and once your out of collage[sic]."

Nonsense. I got official transcripts sent directly to employers decades after graduating ... from three different US universities. Of course, some "collages" may remain in business for less than 5 years.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Suradit69

[smotherb]

An unopened transcript directly from the granting institution is standard documentation for most proof of degree requirements--in academia or practice--is it not? Why would that present a problem to anyone who has a legitimate degree? A transcript is usually a standard application form sent to and a minimal charge paid to the school's registrar.

[smotherb]

I think that will be next to impossible to get from the USA. Their records will only go back 5years in most collage's and once your out of collage. They wont even talk to you.

I doubt that; requiring transcripts is quite standard for US employers, especially educational institutions. I have three US alma maters and it's SOP for all of them. For some reason, in 2011, my last consultant contractor wanted a transcript from my BA and MBA schools; even though I gave them my doctoral transcript. My BA was 1967. I simply went to the school's website, filled out the transcript form, paid by credit card, and they sent it directly to the contractor's office.

[smotherb]

Should be easy to fake?

Sure, fake degrees, fake transcripts; then complain about poor pay and benefits. Just more of the same.

[carter1882]

I had a long career in teaching in Thailand. I was once asked by the admin of my school to provide further evidence of my credentials.I had an award, a glass shield, presented to me by HM's granddaughter for services to education. I somehow jammed it into the photocopier and signed the blurry copies. I never heard from the admin or the authorities again....

[Raybangkok]

The current prime minister has requested from the Phillipines a large number of teachers to come and work in Thailand. I have been teaching for 40years 23 in Thailand from universities to being head of a multilingual school and have seen standards gradually drop with the increase in Asian teachers the future for native speakers does not look promising as schools are looking to reduce costs

[connda]

I believe the unopend enveloppe from the university is actually the pactise for some time now at the teachers council and not a real policy.

That is standard practice at many institutions, and one that I support. It weeds the fake degrees and bogus teachers from those of us who worked our butts off to excel at our degree work. Kudos

[connda]

It is not hard to get a copy of your transcript from US schools. It is fairly routine and can actually be done online. It is also fairly quick. I graduated a long time ago and it seemed that someone in officialdom in Thailand had misplaced my transcript and they wanted a new one. I sent an email to my school and they directed me to the website that explained how to do it, how to pay and how to get expedited delivery (it would not have been in a sealed envelope, but that wasn't needed at that time).

In the meantime, they decided I didn't have to resubmit it, so I didn't follow through. I have a full teaching license, by the way.

We have never had to submit any transcripts directly from the school. This part is new for us.

I have had teachers submit their transcript in a sealed and stamped envelope from the school.

For applicants from the US, we could get a verification of degree from the National Clearinghouse and that was sufficient with a copy of the degree and transcript. I assume this will not be a valid method any longer.

The biggest problem is the time delay in getting this done from some places and with the visa situation being a little tricky.

I've never had a problem obtaining a sealed copy of my degree and curriculum, and I graduated in 1992. Heck, after all this time their Alumni is still bugging me to contribute.

[Slip]

It is not hard to get a copy of your transcript from US schools. It is fairly routine and can actually be done online. It is also fairly quick. I graduated a long time ago and it seemed that someone in officialdom in Thailand had misplaced my transcript and they wanted a new one. I sent an email to my school and they directed me to the website that explained how to do it, how to pay and how to get expedited delivery (it would not have been in a sealed envelope, but that wasn't needed at that time).

In the meantime, they decided I didn't have to resubmit it, so I didn't follow through. I have a full teaching license, by the way.

We have never had to submit any transcripts directly from the school. This part is new for us.

I have had teachers submit their transcript in a sealed and stamped envelope from the school.

For applicants from the US, we could get a verification of degree from the National Clearinghouse and that was sufficient with a copy of the degree and transcript. I assume this will not be a valid method any longer.

The biggest problem is the time delay in getting this done from some places and with the visa situation being a little tricky.

I've never had a problem obtaining a sealed copy of my degree and curriculum, and I graduated in 1992. Heck, after all this time their Alumni is still bugging me to contribute.

That must be nice. I wish it were so easy for us all. I graduated from the UK in 1990- a time when they didn't issue transcripts. What I can get is a 'pro-forma verification document styled in a similar format to an award certificate'. That may or may not be acceptable to the mighty council, but I suspect not. Transcripts forget it. Posters on here, (and I am definitely not referring to you Connda), may do well to remember that not everyone is just the same as them, and being in a different circumstances does not make other people in some way less useful or important.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Slip

[Scott]

This isn`t news.

I wonder, how deep in the boonies is the mod?

Not very deep in the boonies, but up until now we have not had to meet this requirement. It was sent to the school and apparently will now be enforced.

The last 75 or so Teacher's Licenses have not required this.