Our school is one of the biggest schools in this province. After working for 6 years in this school, the new school director (almost half of year 5 to year 6) told the head of the English Department to terminate 2 Filipino teachers because “the school” wants to hire 2-3 NATIVE Speakers. During our meeting, our head told us that the school director/committee said “The other school(the rival school) has a NATIVE Speaker so why can’t we?“ since we are the “biggest” school in the province.

According to them, the students gave us good reviews and they keep telling us that they too are in shock to the director’s decision. Can we protest about the termination? If we voluntarily withdraw from the school due to this event, should we write a resignation letter?

What other things can you suggest us so we will not be left like a doormat? Can you suggest a win-win solution for this scenario because it’s killing us on the inside.

During year 1 to year 4 before this new director arrived, we have been doing well as teachers.

My personally observation is that the director has a sort of “bitterness” against us Filipinos. We did a lot for the school for the past 6 years (camps, seminars and competitions)did placed our school on the map and yet we are treated this way.

Please do help us. This is the first time, after 6 years, knew about our rights. We’ve trusted them so much and now we are in ruins.

By Rome Ordan, Samutsongkhram on 2010-02-25

Ok, maybe this will be a stupid question but I want to ask:

Are these can be reasons for get fired:

1) Sometimes you are speaking Thai in the classroom (Listen, I am doing this because my students can not even say GOOD MORNING… why? because you thai english teachers sit in the classroom do your make up or talk on the phone)

2) Students don’t like you (were you like your teacher when you were at school? And when something happens of course TEACHER is always the guilty one for students)

3) Why you do the same topic too long (I can have 4 hours with my 1 class in a month! 4 hours in a month! And add this that they can not even say GOOD MORNING! Now, if I am teaching them 24 occupations in 4 hours which is a month, it means i taught them occupations in 4 hours in a month! I think I am a good teacher… But they think I am teaching the same topics!!!)

4) You are sometimes punishing the students (I have 50 - 54 students in my classroom. And they love to talk, but thai not english and also talk on the phone! Now, if I stop this phone calls or stop this talking with eachother thing by a punisment… sorry it is my bad because Im thinking the rest of the classroom, i mean the innocent ones who are trying to learn! ohh… my punisment is I gavethem 4 times sit - stand up!!!! At least I dont have a stick in my hand like you!!!)

Anyway, 2 weeks ago I have been told that I can not teach in this school anymore because of these reasons! Without asking my defence or my comments. I told them that this is really stupid. Now.. I know that we farangs are nothing in this country. They smile to your face but kill you from your behind! But this is too much! 2 months ago I was the best teacher in the school and now I am at the bottom!

So, please someone tell me if I can get fired of these reasons. If not, what should I do?

Thanks

By BARIS, Thailand on 2010-02-20

Hi Peter,
In order for me to advise you on whether or not I thought the contract was legally binding, I would have to see the entire contract. Is there any way you can email me a digital copy or a scan of it. If I could see it in it’s entirety (you can white out the details about yourself and the school or agency if you like) I might be able to help.

Steve

By Steve Crawford, Outside myself on 2010-02-04

I was stupid enough to sign a contract with an agency stating that I cannot work directly for the school within 1 year after the contract ends. The contract ends soon and the school would like to hire me and I would like to stay. But I would never sign a following contract with the agency again. It turned out that the only thing they were good in was greed. I would be glad if someone would know a way out of my problem. I would even like to know if this clause in the contract is legal and really binds me.

By Peter, Chonburi on 2010-02-01