The school is for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. The school began classes in 1954 with eight students. Today there are a total of four hundred and sixty students from thirty-two countries and nearly seventy staff. I was Head Teacher here from 1998-2000 so it is wonderful to be back in 2010 as Elementary Vice Principal.
The school is owned by the Church of Christ in Thailand (Presbyterian Church which was the first church to send missionaries to Thailand). The vision for the school is “Educational excellence in a caring community committed to Christian values, equipping international students for lives of learning and positive contributions locally and globally.”
Our school population comes mostly from mission groups, American Consulate families, business people, transferred government workers and the local Thai population. The School is an accredited institution under the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This means that we follow an American based curriculum and are also a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARSOC) as well as the International Schools Association of Thailand. Our school is also approved by the Ministry of Education in Thailand and is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities. The School is operated by an appointed nine-member administrative advisory board.
The School offers an academic program with the addition of courses such as: English for Academic Purposes (EAP), which is designed to meet the needs of students in grades 1 to 6 who have been identified (through admissions assessment or by their teachers) as those who would benefit from English- Language support. The school offers the usual range of courses as well as ten courses at the Advanced Placement level (AP).
A Graduation Diploma is award to those who have fulfilled the requirements and an Honors Graduation Diploma is awarded to students who successfully complete three AP Courses. As is the case in most High Schools in Canada, students here are required to complete 60 hours of community service over the course of their four years in high school for Grades 9-12.
Some of the differences between this school and schools I have worked in is the fact that it is a private school. School fees are very modest by international schools' standards but rather steep compared to a public education, and expectations are high. In order to be accepted, students must pass an admissions test. This can include everything from checking for understanding of the English language to academic testing to determine the student's level of ability. Discipline issues are minimal. Most of the students I have seen this year were for getting a 'little carried away' when playing at recess/noontime, for not completing work or because they did not show respect to themselves or others.
The school also has a full time Thai nurse. This lady has graduated from the School of Nursing here at Payap University. She knows the rules and regulations necessary to operate the five bed sick room. Medications are administered and health issues dealt with. There is one student presently suffering from a severe allergy that requires an EPI -Pen and we do have two students who are HIV positive. So that adds a different perspective. There is also a Health Officer.
Also different from PEI, is that there is a team of traffic guards, workers and a specific cleaner for each floor of the school building. Employment by the school is seen as something to be desired for the local population. Under Thai law, workers must retire when they reach the age of 60. One of the negative aspects is that there is a two tiered salary scale.
Thai teachers, with their degrees, are not paid the same as foreign teachers. This was one of the things that I grappled with the most my term here. The explanation is that for Thais, working at this school with a controlled number of students in each class is so wonderful compared to having 50-60 in a class of grade ones (for example) in a Thai school. The salary here is also much better than they would get in a local school. They also get the benefit of a health plan, a retirement fund and a special savings plan. All of this being true, it still does not sit well with this Canadian.
The Thai Government has many requirements for students and foreign teachers at an International School. Presently, all new staff must complete an intensive Thai language and cultural in -service. This twenty hour course is to help foreigners have a better understanding of what it means to live and work in Thailand. Thai language and culture are taught to the children as well, again following the required number of hours per grade level. Each grade is divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced.
There are many governmental regulations as well regarding work permits and visas. Regulations change often and there are workers at the school in the Administration Department that keep us all on track, when to go for our 90 day visitation or to re-new our visas for extension of stay. For this I am truly grateful, (two new regulations I had to deal with were having my original marriage certificate authorized. Had to go to the Canadian Consulate and fill out a form, swear on the Bible to have an affidavit. Then had to have a blood test for disease check).
One of the positive things about coming back is having ten members on staff who were here when I was here previously including the principal who used to be one of my teachers. An International School has an added problem of transient, migratory staff. Where as in Canada, most teachers stay put as long as possible, this is not the case here. Teachers are looking for the next exotic place to go, the higher wages, the nicer workload, etc. So that is a problem for administration.
The “feel” of being in a school with such diversity of students and staff makes for a richer environment. We have so much to learn from one an other. One of the celebration days is International Day. This means parents from the PTG organize other parents into working committees. Those planners are responsible for getting a group to work on a booth, food, pictures, presentations and learning aspect about their native country. It is something where we celebrate our differences as we live as one culminating in a giant cultural show at the end of the celebrations.
There are several sections of school administration. There is the Thai Director who is in charge of the entire operation. Then the section of Thai workers who deal with various aspects of life in an international school- work permits, visas, medical checks, accountants, payroll, copier (yes teachers do not copy their work someone is hired to do that all day long), driver, guard, gardeners, cleaners, etc. Then there are forms to complete to have work done, supplies purchased and even to reserve the auditorium for use. As per regulations of the Thai Government, teachers must sign in each day the time they arrive and leave the school.
Under the Director is the school Principal. This person is responsible for the entire operation of the school. Next come the Elementary and Secondary Vice Principals. There is a PR and Admissions Officer as well.
Life is different here. There are many buildings instead of one school facility. The campus itself stretches over nearly 4.5 acres. So running down to the Music room or art room means a good hike. Not only is there an Elementary Art Teacher there is also one for the High School. What a difference from PEI where I have not had an Art teacher on staff for over thirty years. The librarian is a full time position and this person also operates an after school hours opportunity for students. (There is also a dance studio equipped with mirrors and hardwood floors).
The biggest success is the amount of time and commitment teachers put into their jobs. Since the school is accredited, that means along with the regular tasks of teaching and coaching and clubs, teachers are giving more time to work on the various aspects of what that means. Curriculum topics are discussed, reviewed, and tweaked to ensure that students are attaining the Minimal Skills Mastery (MSM) or outcomes. Staff meetings begin with a feast (okay, really good snacks). Teacher Appreciation week means flowers, meals and treats and a half day off school. Teaching is a respected occupation to the Thais as well as the 'farangs” (foreigners), when you say you are a teacher, they bow deeply while holding their hands together ( alled a “wai”). The higher the hands go above the nose, the more respect is being shown. Another difference here is that school assemblies begin with a prayer.
One cannot be in Thailand and not mention the food. It is “a roy” (delicious) and so cheap (tuk-tuk). The cost of living is low so food items produced locally are very economic. For example, a dinner from the cafeteria of rice, chicken and potatoes in curry sauce and fried vegetables cost around $1 Canadian. There are daily and weekend markets where one can find everything under the sun, including deep fried bugs but also a beautiful array of fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables. It is a land of milk and honey (except honey costs the earth!) Just as the cost of living is low, so are the wages here compared to other countries. Yet living in Thailand with its friendly, petite, beautiful people, its tropical climate, its markets, its Wats (temples) and shopping makes it a wonderful place to not only visit for a holiday but also a great place to live and work. It is truly amazing and something that needs to be added to your own “Bucket List”.
Barbara Burleigh
Vice Principal
Chiang Mai International School
Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Website: Chiang Mai International School
March 31, 2011
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