More Raids on Schools? - Jan '07

[LDMA]

A TEFL Watch Moderator is reporting over on that forum that he witnessed Immigration police raid his school (a private school in Bangkok), and 3 teachers have been arrested on suspicion of carrying fake documentation.

The facts: Schools and agencies were raided by immi.police yesterday - I know of teachers in at least two places where this happened. A friend of mine was arrested and taken away - he is still being held, will face a judge on Monday to be fined and will then face "deportation" of some description. He is charged with using false certification, he is guilty. They said he has three days to appeal against his ejection from the country. He was arrested with a colleague who faces the same fate. Several other teachers in the same school and situation were sacked and advised to disappear! The hearsay: As many as thirty schools were raided all over Greater Bangkok - second-hand information from somebody being held. As many as sixty teachers being held to face the music on Monday morning.

http://www.teflwatch.org/forum/index...pic,841.0.html The school in question is apparently one of the so-called "Hall of Shame" schools.

[GreatSage]

Glad I've got real qualifications as I may head to Bangkok soon.

I've nothing against those without. Good luck to them. It must be kind of stressful though to always have this stuff 'hanging over your head'.

If you're here for a laugh and can simply 'move on' to the next country...then I guess it wouldn't be that much of a worry.

If you actually live here / like living here / are in a relationship and want to stay here / need the money etc...then I'd imagine it's a bit of a nightmare.

[jonny danger]

There are worst sanctions than being banned from Thailand.

[GreatSage]

Agreed.

If you've got a wife here or are in a relationship etc...I'd imagine getting 'chucked out' would be a bit of a concern though!

[LoveBucket]

so who's going to teach the kids?

[MaxfromOz]

My mate is a teacher at one of those schools that got raided. I couldn't believe it when he told me that his school told all the foreign teachers to hide on the roof of the school to avoid being arrrested. Four of them weren't so lucky. Amazing Thailand

[torbek]

The school sounds like an absolute bucketshop...

[jonny danger]

Agreed.

If you've got a wife here or are in a relationship etc...I'd imagine getting 'chucked out' would be a bit of a concern though!

Well yes.

There's a guy in the neighborhood who has a Thai wife. He doesn't work here. His visa runs are over now. He'll be headed for Blighty in two weeks, and got the blues.

[natalie8]

I couldn't believe it when he told me that his school told all the foreign teachers to hide on the roof of the school to avoid being arrrested. Four of them weren't so lucky.

It sounds like a bad movie.

[Umbuku]

The hammer is starting to fall for to forge and mold anew the 'face' of education in Thailand.
I think we will see a series of these raids throughout the coming year. The MoE and MoI don't have the resources to turn over every school, nor to re examine every document for every teacher. They will hit schools with known fake document holders and catch whomever else they can in the net.

[Nemo.]

Well I think great news really. Its bad enough saying I am teaching but Bangkok. "Oh a criminal on the run" I can hear them thinking! If you use fake docs in UK/USA/Aus you would expect to be in trouble surely? so why ok here? Salaries will eventually creep up in good schools and more Fillipinos will be employed by cheap Charlie schools/teaching centres (as well as backpackers on tourist visas). It will make parents also realise a white face costs money!

Of course in typical SE Asian fashion in 6 months everything will be back to normal as they wont keep up this enforcement for long. I do feel sorry for some who have familes but you break the law you risk getting caught - that's life

[jonny danger]

Betcha a dalla they never come to the sticks.

[defender]

Of course in typical SE Asian fashion in 6 months everything will be back to normal as they wont keep up this enforcement for long.

I agree - except there will be good teachers that went to more stable places in the meantime and even more lowlifes and morons teaching here!
-----

Betcha a dalla they never come to the sticks.

What do you care?

[Umbuku]

I do feel sorry for some who have familes but you break the law you risk getting caught - that's life

Agree, but there are other scenarios than black and white.
What of someone who is underqualified by the new rules but has been teaching for years?
Are they going to get the rough end of the pineapple too?

Betcha a dalla they never come to the sticks.

Major cities only at least to start. The regional branches of the MoE have recently been given greater autonomy to police themselves. Part of a general policy by the CNS government to decentralize many government ministries. The sticks are safe for now.

[Bangkok Phil]

My mate is a teacher at one of those schools that got raided. I couldn't believe it when he told me that his school told all the foreign teachers to hide on the roof of the school to avoid being arrrested.

Quite a few schools are apparently now giving instructions to new teachers on the quickest way to get on to the roof. It may involve shooting up a few flights of stairs or kicking in a fire exit door but teachers need to be aware of the fastest route.

Female teacher: What should we do if we see a policeman in the reception?
Interviewer: Hoist up your skirts and run like hell girl.

I'm almost scared to put this news on the ajarn homepage in case the cops are reading.

policeman A : You'll never guess where they were?
policeman B : where?
policeman A : On the fuckin' roof.

You just have to laugh. The place has become such a complete joke that you just have to laugh.