Expatriate Teachers' Association still cautious as scheme reaches full implementation, but EMB sings its praises
Foreign teachers are queueing up to join the Native English Teacher (NET) scheme, according to Chris Wardlaw, deputy secretary for education and manpower, who oversees the scheme.
Contrary to warnings from NETs sent out internationally that people should think long and hard before taking up a job, there now was a waiting list, Mr Wardlaw said.
This year's recruitment exercise had attracted 1,100 applicants with the number of NETs in Hong Kong now reaching 800 - a long way from just 30 in 1997, the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) announced this week to mark the full implementation of the scheme.
'The vast majority of NETs have a professionally rewarding experience,' said Mr Wardlaw. 'Three out of four wish to renew their contracts and we have a queue of NETs wanting to come to Hong Kong.'
The EMB reported on glowing experiences of two teachers. Nancie Brown, a NET from Australia who splits her time between two primary schools, in Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po, was quoted as saying: 'Each and every staff member in both schools, both teaching and support staff, welcomed me with open arms and excitement.'
John Wong, also from Australia, said: 'Hong Kong teachers are able to provide valuable local knowledge and experience while I'm able to contribute ideas, activities and resources used overseas.'