Over the last few weeks I've noticed a few symptoms that my language school is in financial distress...but it was only last week via an email communique that I found out that they are trying to sell assets to clear debt and pay the teachers. Today I started up classes again and last time I spoke with my Khruu (teacher) before I went to China she was trying to enrol in university for a master's course. Today I asked her how it went and she said it she had passed the entrance exam but could not afford the fees (about $1000). She thought she would have enough, but then she wasn't paid in time so she's says 'mai pen rai, next year'. I went to speak with another Khruu who I am good friends with and found out that the teachers haven't been paid for two months or more...it puts quite a bit of strain on their families.
There's been a lot of history with this language school. It was opened by the same guy who opened Grace International School (the major international school for missionaries in Chiang Mai) because he saw two reasons why missionaries were leaving Chiang Mai - lack of schooling for kids, and lack of cultural adaptation (especially language).
For a while it operated with Thai Christians teaching foreign missionaries and apparently teachers were becoming Christians e.t.c Then it was sold/handed over and here the problems seem to begin and the view gets muddled. Though the new owner claims Christianity, it seems many actions & business deals have caused people to doubt it.
Since I don't know anything about what really went on behind the scenes I can only say what I see now...that many old staff have left, many of the students have left, and some teachers have taken the curriculum and are now teaching it on their own (which is copyright infringement)...leading to my teachers now not getting paid.
Seems a little unfair that the teachers have to suffer for management mistakes of the past. If ever there was a business as mission opportunity ready for take over, this would be it.
There's been a lot of history with this language school. It was opened by the same guy who opened Grace International School (the major international school for missionaries in Chiang Mai) because he saw two reasons why missionaries were leaving Chiang Mai - lack of schooling for kids, and lack of cultural adaptation (especially language).
For a while it operated with Thai Christians teaching foreign missionaries and apparently teachers were becoming Christians e.t.c Then it was sold/handed over and here the problems seem to begin and the view gets muddled. Though the new owner claims Christianity, it seems many actions & business deals have caused people to doubt it.
Since I don't know anything about what really went on behind the scenes I can only say what I see now...that many old staff have left, many of the students have left, and some teachers have taken the curriculum and are now teaching it on their own (which is copyright infringement)...leading to my teachers now not getting paid.
Seems a little unfair that the teachers have to suffer for management mistakes of the past. If ever there was a business as mission opportunity ready for take over, this would be it.
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