As standard practice I ask to see a school's contract early in the process. I have decided to post slected passages from the contract of the Hainan Provincial Government Kindergarten. They got some shocker reviews so really they weren't an option but this just confirms my suspicions...
Don't worry, you don't have to talk me out of going here. It isn't an option.
Here we go
The Kindergarten will pay the foreign teacher an after tax salary of 4000 China Yuan Renminbi (RMB) / calendar month worked. Hmmm... not a good start
The Kindergarten will provide the teacher with an on-campus apartment with private air-conditioned bedroom with private balcony, and shared living, kitchen and bathroom areas (maximum three teachers per apartment). lovely... share a bathroom with 2 others? I don't think so
The Kindergarten will provide one bottle of gas for cooking and heating per teacher per month. Payable into their monthly salary upon presentation of a receipt. Should the teacher require additional gas the Kindergarten can arrange for its delivery at the foreign teacher’s expense that's a new clause I haven't seen before
In the event that a foreign teacher does not wish to reside in a Kindergarten provided apartment and makes private arrangements for their accommodation, the Kindergarten will reimburse the foreign teacher’s return daily bus fare upon presentation of ticket receipts, payable together with the monthly salary. how generous! A bus fare!
In the event that a foreign teacher does not wish to reside in a Kindergarten provided apartment and makes private arrangements for their accommodation the foreign teacher will be responsible for their own utilities, furniture and rental costs. hmmm... sucks
The Kindergarten will reserve 2000 RMB from the foreign teacher’s first salary as a ‘trust deposit’. say what? Live on 2000RMB for the first month. Are you crazy? Thats $300AUD
Provided: the two parties cooperate well at the end of the contract; the foreign teacher’s apartment is left in good condition; and the foreign teacher’s Foreign Expert’s Certificate has been returned to the Kindergarten, the trust deposit will be returned to the foreign teacher upon receipt of the apartment keys. Oh and I bet that won't happen, cooperation is a rather abstract concept after all
Lessons completed 1 week in advance and presented to the foreign affairs officer for approval.
Utter a word in Chinese, get a 50RMB penalty.
Oh yeah and to get these generous wages you have to teach 30 thirty-minute periods a week, plus meetings, Saturday duties, professional development and admin. Hooray!