Trouble in Paradise

OK well it isnt quite Paradise here but its been very nice. Up till today, though hopefully the events unfolding wont affect me too much they will still have an effect.

As mentioned there was a meeting today with the board, they have decided to stop the October week holiday for teachers and use it for teacher training, and also that the Summer break for teachers will now only be 4 weeks, starting back on the 1st of August. This decision is irreversable and will not be contested and will not change the Salary or Benefits in any way. (Does anyone who reads this think that approach is a bit Draconian).

Needless to say the teaching staff as a whole Colombian and Ex pats raised many reasons for NOT doing this including the fact that (a) Tired teachers don't teach well (b) That Extra Curricula events would suffer (c) That retention of staff would become difficult as other schools in Colombia now offer far better packages (d) That recruitment of New staff will be impossible (e) That poorly motivated teachers will not provide the support and commitment needed (f) That staff already work long hours outwith the school day.

In effect the school will suffer and therefore so will the education of the pupils. All these points were given, listened to and ignored.

Needless to say the staff are not happy and I can't say I blame them.

It has raised a serious concern in my mind as well if the Board can be as single minded about treating all the staff in this way why should I expect them to honour my verbal 1 year contract. Needless to say I have now asked for written confirmation of my contract and if it is anything BUT what I expect to see then when I fly home at Xmas I may not be flying back out.

Remembering this is a business and it is being run by seven supposedly "intellegent educated professionals" I have to think that somewhere down the line they have decided they want blood not just the sweat and tears.

I am sure things haven't ended here there was murmerings of striking etc at the staff meeting. Wouldn't that be an amusing Blog post, 6000 miles to Colombia to go on Strike !!!

Seriously though Colombia isn't that great a place, its good but not great, the package for international teachers is good for living in Colombia but not for anywhere else in the world, and the hours are long when you consider we start at teaching at 7.30am and finish at 3.30pm and add on the 40 minutes each way the day is long as it is. So if your thinking of coming to Colombia - Right now I would have to say think twice and at the same time I guess i should look into where else I can teach because I may need a new post far sooner than later.

signed
Disgusted of Turnbridge Wells
(OK might only make sense to folks in UK who read the letters page of a national newspaper - but it seemed right for today)