Topic: KIS & KAS Education Centre

[ajarnsarah]

                                KAS, KIS and Corruption-to-the-Core
             
                   Please investigate further if you think this is false information!

I have worked for KAS Education Centre, at both the KIS International School location in Huay Kwang, Bangkok, (most corrupt situation) and at their Nonthaburi branch, also in Bangkok.

I have never worked for a more unprofessional group in my life, and I have worked in several countries including my home country (Australia). I am certain the Farang owners, my bosses, have no qualifications in education. They brag of being home-schooled which I believe due to their ignorance of how to administer an education centre or a lack of any substantial knowledge that a simple Bachelors of Education would render.

The KAS Education Centre is owned by the two above mentioned Farangs as well as a two key share-holders; yes, the former-PM-in-Exile-Thaksin's very own cousin and TRT's former Minister of Transportation (corruption to the core).

KAS Education Centre operates under the guise of KIS International School only because Thaksin's cousin is the licensee of the school and the former TRT-Minister-of-Transportation is the owner of KIS International School (nothing against KIS accept that they let corruption tarnish their reputation by allowing unqualified people to operate inside their school under the guise of KAS Education Centre). These four criminals are using their undeserved power to reap in the benefits as share holders by charging international school prices for language center quality.

KAS Education Center actually charges top money while alluding that they have certified teachers when they certainly do not (corruption to the core). A customer paying 1,200 baht/hour for EAL instruction expects certified teachers or at least a CELTA qualified teacher, but KAS Education Centre actually have uncertified teachers working at both KIS International School and their other branches as well (not to mention hiring non-native speakers in order to exploit both customer and employee to the highest degree). The owners/share holders are completely void of any teaching qualification, including even a simple TEFL.

KIS International School has come under fire recently by many of the wealthy parents, and it is too bad because KIS International School is a decent institution; however, KAS Education Centre is damaging the school's integrity very seriously each day it remains the administer of the E.A.L. and S.E.A.L. program at KIS International School.

If you are a quality teacher or a paying customer, I warn strongly against working for or obtaining services from these cheats; they may have nice smiles, but they are only looking to exploit you as much as they can -you will see... Fair warning to all those professionals and loving parents who deserve better.

[RobRoy]

Professionalism, the quality of teachers are subjective here in the LoS.  I understand that you seem very upset, but to compare an organization in Thailand that professes to have "professional" teachers compared to a western school is comparing apples and oranges.

Please cite explicit examples not just general statements.  Just because someone thats related to the ex PM doesn't make the organization corrupt, specific abuses do. 

Lastly, I don't work at the place so I don't really care to investigate it...its your job, as a member to the forum, to praise or critize an organization.  Get other teachers where you work to post, cite examples of abuses, etc.

[ajarnsarah]

Dear RobRoy,                                                                                                                                                                     I was not comparing western schools with Thai organizations (that is like comparing two different things; perhaps not as simplistic as apples and oranges, but I get your point). I am simply complaining that it is connections and not qualifications and experience that allow these two farangs to co-own a business that is responsible for running the EAL and SEAL programs at KIS International School (co-owned along with the previously mentioned Thaksin family member or former government official: TRT Minister of Education). The corruption I am accusing them is just what I said in the original post (perhaps you missed the point or perhaps I stated in poorly). I do not need to investigate further; I am reporting the facts. I was challenging those who may think this is just hype. I never meant to suggest for anyone to do my research; I am well informed on the matter at hand. As far as other teachers posting from my school, well, I hope they do; however, I am not going on an open campaign and losing my job (I just think KAS and KIS is a rip off and I wish for teachers and parents alike to know my thoughts). If I was not clear enough in my first letter, I am sorry, but perhaps it is partly you who did not grasp the details.

[los_teacher]

Sarah,

I guess the point is that the kinds of corruption you are discussing - nepotism and favoritism coupled with duping customers by hiring semi-qualified and unqualified teachers - these are commonplace and occur at some level or other in nearly every educational institution in the country.

Rob Roy was merely looking for specific abuses by management on the teachers themselves.  This is a site that supports teachers.  It is a source of information about which places not to work for and why.  Suggestions are offered to folks who find themselves victims of any number of offenses.  Nobody likes having their bonus canceled or their last paycheck withheld.   Not necessary to get snippy with rob roy for trying to clarify the situation....   

[RobRoy]

As LT mentioned....we need details to help you out....specific abuses, not generalizations.  And no, I didn't get your point because you made no specific complaints about the place other than you are less than happy with them.  Details, details......

If you can say...."Oh a Thai teacher was kept on the staff after inappropriately touching another teacher because he is Taksins 2nd cousin twice removed", then you have given us specific details...

We here are a group of people, that for the most part have experienced the best and worst that working in Thailand can offer.  We are here to support, help and advise each other to make life just a bit easier.  We are here to support each other and make sense of out life in Thailand.

Lastly, when you post on here, you've gone on an active campaign.  How long do you think it will take your coworkers and then the Thai/farang admin to figure out who is posting?  When you post here, you are on an active campaign.  Thats the idea of this site, actively supporting teachers and letting schools know when they have done less than good for their teachers.   

[ajarnsarah]

Too LoS and Robroy,  If you two are the administration on this site, then please spell out what the standard is to be accepted in this discussion forum and how that is to be written; if you are not, then why the condescending attitude about what and how one can and can not post? KIS is a top international school in Bangkok and there are a lot of people who do not like a current situation of a separate-company (KAS Education Center) operating inside a top internatioanl school under the guise of KIS International School; it is a scam and if other teachers at KIS or KAS read this forum, then maybe they will post. I am certainly not going to run my mouth at KIS and be singled out. I am making a general complaint and a general warning. The details are not important; we all know what unprofessional administration adds up to -you sighted a few examples yourself. Lastly, I will get snippy with anyone I want until the TEFL.watch administration approaches me themselves; you two boys can go on trying to intimidate anyone you want, but until the TEFL.watch crew themselves tells me that my post is not to standard, I will continue to post at will. You sound like wanna-be know-it-alls who do not know much about international schools and are confusing Thai Sschool, language centre and international school life. Nevertheless, write another off the topic post and ask a bunch of meaningless questions; I really can't wait.     

[los_teacher]

why are you so aggressive?  nobody is attacking you - quite the reverse.

[anyonefortennis]

Hey Sarah, take a chill pill girl. 

I reckon RR & LT were only trying to point you in the right direction regarding giving more details, no need to fly off on one.

So, you gonna get all snippy with me now............I can hardly wait

[bomha]

Ajarn Sarah,

I am only a lowly moderator here, but let me see if I can help you by giving you questions to answer:

a. You say that the school hires unqualified teachers.  Do they have bachelor degrees, or TEFL certifications?  Anyway, that in itself (from the point of view of some teachers) does not prove they are lousy teachers.

b. What wages, hours, classes, etc., did they promise, and how did they follow through on that?

c. Are any resources given to the staff, such as access to photocopiers and internet; sufficient relevant textbooks?

d. Are the students reasonably classified by ability?  What are the class sizes?

e. Is this a language center or an agency for phrathom/matoyom schools, or a private full time school?

f. Have they made any promises that were flagrantly violated?

g. Did you sign and receive a contract in English, signed by the owner?

[ajarnsarah]

Dear Bomha,

To answer your questions:


a. You say that the school hires unqualified teachers.  Do they have bachelor degrees, or TEFL certifications?  Anyway, that in itself (from the point of view of some teachers) does not prove they are lousy teachers.

The owners of KAS (the ones who run the S.E.A.L and E.A.L programs at KIS International School); well, 100% of the teachers at KIS International School are more qualified that the owners of KAS, but they could never run a business inside KIS as they are not politically/socially/economically connected in Thailand. The owners have one BA in, I think, computer-science between them (hubby has a BA; wife has a home-schooling, high-school-degree from her mom and is clueless about most subjects, especially education). The teachers hired by KAS are not qualified to work at international schools, yet, they often get better contracts that we, those who have teacher certification and masters degrees, get at KIS (I am talking about corruption due to nepotism here). The teachers they hire are fine (one guy is exceptional), but they are allowed access to international school kids whose parents pay for and expect teachers with degrees in education and certification from our home countries: USA, OZ, N.Z., UK, etc

b. What wages, hours, classes, etc., did they promise, and how did they follow through on that?

They have shafted people who worked for them by canceling contracts early as well as nickel-and-dime stuff, but I would have to go and interview the teachers in the SEAL and EAL programs to get the nitty-gritty on this line of questioning, and then I would be exposed… I have, however, heard a lot of grumbling from one guy who teaches at KAS; he hates working for Mr. D and Mrs. T. (hubby and wife owners who have one BA in computers between them and no high school degrees).

c. Are any resources given to the staff, such as access to photocopiers and internet; sufficient relevant textbooks?

I have heard grumbling on this matter too; one teacher said he was never shown the resource-room and was given a rude lecturing because he was not using resources from this particular room. Mr D. claimed to be too busy to show the teacher the resource-room despite it being maybe 15 feet from his office and the KAS headquarters.

d. Are the students reasonably classified by ability?  What are the class sizes?

The class size is small; these are the richest kids in BKK.

e. Is this a language center or an agency for phrathom/matoyom schools, or a private full time school?

KAS is a language center, but administering the SEAL and EAL programs at KIS International School; we KIS teachers are wishing them gone for many reasons. They are not the professionals who we want "up-grading" (or attempting anyway) our students already poor English ability; KIS’s biggest set-back as a top school is that our students' English level is very low.

f. Have they made any promises that were flagrantly violated?

I would have to investigate and I can’t due to my desire to remain anonymous, but I have heard grumblings on this matter too. 

g. Did you sign and receive a contract in English, signed by the owner?

They give contracts, but once it is signed, it is never seen again by the one hired. This is a big complaint from the teachers at KAS. The only see their contracts at signing time and they they are kept from the teachers.

Lastly, I wish I could be clearer; however, due to my undercover status and the fact that my intent was just to provide an open warning rather than do a detailed report on KAS; nevertheless, thank you for the questions lacking the superiority-complex and pejorative-intent that these forums-replies often contain. Respectfully, Ajarn Sarah

[los_teacher]

That's the spirit ajarnsarah!

It sounds like a poorly run international school. 

1) Very wealthy kids - parents probably friends of the Thaksin group - with too much influence in school policies and procedures.

2) Supplemental English programs given by TEFL folks that would be best served by TESOL qualified individuals.

3) Incompetent management.  Unqualified owners that don't hire properly qualified school administrators.

4) Potential contract shenanigans.

All in all it sounds like they hire professionals to do a job and then clip their wings.  The students suffer.   

[Good2b-happy]

I worked at KAS for 6 months and then had to leave at short notice on health grounds. My experience at KAS differs to that of the poster of this thread. I found the management helpful and understanding with regard to both personal and professional needs. But, hey, everyones experience is subjective.
I would happily recomend KAS to anyone.
G

[anyonefortennis]

G2b, did you work for KAS at KIS? from what AS posted this seems to be where a lot of the problems stem from.

[bettyboo]

Caught wind of the rattlin's @ the KAS in KIS scenario and feel compelled to write as I worked for KAS for a few years.  I have a few questions for ASara, as in my opinion she may need a bit of help in the vocab/definition area:
1) She called KAS a scam?  A scam is, by definition is, "a swindle, a fraud" - altho KAS had it's weak areas, as any institution, business or endeavor has, it was NOT a scam, but well-intentioned, well-trained-in-local-business-folks who saw a need (English at an affordable level for kids who are not from the local "elite" and couldn't afford KIS) and they met the need by purchasing top-quality language materials for their students, hiring qualified teachers (not saying that all qualified teacher are good teachers, or are culturally sensitive: an essential ingredient in a culturally intrenched society like Thailand) and opened a successful service/business with positive results: kids learning English!
2) In my opinion the background and education of administrators is not indicative of the quality of the education or business - success story after success story of folks with vision, influence, and "guts" and seemingly "unqualified" have taken the challenge and met the demand by hiring and empowering those with the education to do the job - looks like ASara has some jealousy issues after persuing her/his idea of "qualifications", whether that included huge debt and obviously time investment) only to realize that others can succeed without this!  Whoops!
3) If there are issues of standards (KAS in KIS) within a respected institution like KIS - this is an issue to be discussed within the organization with the proper folks.  Resorting to a discussion forum to vent frustrations is not indicative of the professionalism of any organization.
Maybe AS should look a bit deeper & beyond emotions at the results of kids being able to learn English & the positive ripple of offering language classes to kids outside of KIS.... or parents frustrated by huge tuition investments, but their kids basic language skills still underpar.  FYI - professionals talk in terms of solutions & have usually outgrown the "blame game" or "emotional ping-pong".

[RobRoy]

Nice summary BB......thats what we are all here for!

[watching parents]

Hi all,

I am glad to see KAS in the hot seat. I was a teacher at KIS International School for two years and a parent of two students at the school. The Post by Bettyboo is a post by the owner of KAS. We at KIS all know it is a scam. Nice try to spread more false information, so you can operate inside KIS despite many of the admin, parents and KIS teachers want you out. Believe nothing from the KAS support team; this Sarah chick is right on, and many of us are pushing for KAS's ouster. Watching Parents

[David Arnold]

Hi.  I'm David Arnold.  I am one of the owners of KAS Education Centre. 

This forum was brought to my attention a couple of days ago. I now feel compelled to write this response.  I would like to clarify that neither I, nor any of the KAS owners have ever previously posted on this forum. 

My primary concern is for the education & well-being of the students and for the KIS community.  For those with constructive suggestions aimed at the educational support of the students, please don't hesitate to approach the appropriate administrative management. 

I understand that the purpose of this site is to offer support to teachers who have been subjected to unfair treatment, and my only hope is that this remains the focus of this forum.

[khunboom88]

Sawasdee Na Kaa,

I the one who have the kid at KIS. Now I call some peoples at KIS for ask about what the ***** lady is said. I will not send my kid to KIS in the next year because KAS owners they are the not real techer and not have the education degree. My son is so sad; he don't like the NIST but I send him to there for the next year. XXXX who is the real teacher not like working for Mr. XXXXX. He say it is very bad because Mr XXXXX and Ms XXXXX don't know the teaching and treat him bad.

[los_teacher]

This thread is getting into an area that makes me feel uncomfortable.

This is a site to support teachers.  The purpose is to give teachers information to make appropriate decisions for employment, and to give teachers a venue to air grievances - to 'get things off the chest'.  Teachers share not only negative experiences, but positive experiences as well. 

I think parents should be aware that not all the information posted on here is accurate.  Much of it is subjective opinion - and there is little fact-checking.  It is difficult to adapt to living and working in another country.  Working and living conditions can be quite poor for many folks, and Westerners have a tendency to complain.  Over time, when multiple views are shared and fully digested, a partial image of a school develops - but it is not, and never will be a complete picture.   

[hero]

I think we just assume that most people possess such common sense los_teacher.  Those that don't, well we can't help them!

What I'm saying is that most people are well aware that this site is a site for airing grievances primarily, most people are well aware that there are two sides to every story, most people are capable of drawing their own conclusions from the information presented.  To that end, all information is useful information IMO.

The kind of people that swallow whatever they are told without due consideration are unlikely to be scouring the internet for extra info in any case.

It has been a favourite ploy of school admins and owners to come here and whinge that the information is too one-sided.  If I was running a decent school with a good record towards teachers and students I wouldn't have anything to worry about.

[Pavlovsdog]

Let me make some general observations here.  Given the salaries and conditions here in Thailand, very few 'real teachers' come to work in Thailand.  It's commonly said that the exception to this generalization are the International Schools.  I'm pretty sure that there are over 50 International Schools in Thailand.  However, I have been told by a couple of International School teachers that only 15 or 20 of them are real IS's, the rest of them use the title, but the quality of the education has been compromised by the cheap Thai owners.  The 'fake International Schools' will often cut costs by hiring cheaper (less qualified) teachers, using inadequate or inappropriate educational materials, etc... etc...  They will have nice facilities and the kids will put on nice shows and so forth, but these schools will be putting style before substance.

I don't know if the school in question is a 'real' IS or a 'fake' IS.  If you want know, your might check the teachers' salaries.  If they are earning 100K+, it's a real school.  If they are earning 50-60K or less, it's probably fake.

The other thing I want to talk about is the use of Agencies - which usually call themselves Language Schools or Language Centers or Education Centres or whatever, but are really teacher placement agencies.   

I would guess that 90% of all schools in Thailand use agencies to supply their English Teachers.  They do this because they really don't know how to hire foreign teachers and they usually couldn't tell a good teacher from a hole in the wall!    Also, the Agencies will usually give the School Director a nice under the table kickback.

The Agencies are all trying to make a profit in a highly competitive business.  They have to hire the cheapest possible teachers and then tell the school that they are fully qualified and have all of the correct paperwork.  Some of the Agencies do their best to actually perform, but they if they set their standards too high, they will be unable to compete with lower priced Agencies and will be priced out of the market.

If I were a parent in Thailand I try to remember that a good education begins at home.  Surround your child with books and encourage them to read for fun!  If they get into the habit of reading, a broad educaition will come to them naturally, regardless of what's going on at school.

[los_teacher]

OK - good points.   I don't feel so bad now.   That was just my sometimes hyperactive conscience acting up again....

[Sunset]

I have been reading this thread with interest. Firstly, I would like to say that someone has certainly inserted a bug in your ass AS because you have gone on a very personal witch hunt here. Secondly, you lost all credibility with that pathetic attempt at writing like a Thai person (Khun boom88).
Now that has been said I will give some first hand information as I work for KAS Weekend School and so do both the instructors that work for KAS in KIS during the week.
1. KAS pay well above the industry average for working in a language center. They also pay a bonus to their staff twice per year and they always pay on time.
2. All materials that are needed for the lessons on the weekend are prepared for the teachers in advance and are ready for them when they arrive to teach on either Saturday or Sunday. ( Is this badly prepared AS?)
3. The ESL Instructors that work for KAS at KIS during the week both have teacher licences and work permits. They also have BA's and one of them has a CELTA. ( But hell AS, maybe this isn't qualified enough for you)
4. When asked if Mr D or Mrs T ever interfere with the lessons, the answer was "no they don't and they are supportive when request are made for materials, books, etc. They are also open to new ideas and encourage there staff to participate in the growth of KAS with workshops and training".
5. It seems that most of the present staff are happy working for KAS and most are long term employees, one has been there for more than 3 years, so i guess they must be doing something right.
6. The students and parents are happy because they keep signing up for new courses and the number of students increases every quarter. ( It's not like there is a shortage of Language Centers around and they can only go to KAS)
7. It really doesnt matter if the owners of KAS or KIS have an educational backround or not or if they are the 5th cousin removed from Hannibal Lecter, as  long as they employ people who do know what they are doing, and this seems to be the case. Wake up AS, education in Asia is a business. Compared to a lot of other English Language Centers all over Asia, Kas is one of the better ones.
8. Before you make the accusation, no I am not one of the owners and I am not related to them in any way or to the owners of KIS or Thaksin or anyone else that you mentioned.

[ajarnsarah]

To Sunset,

Say what you like, but you are wrong. I am not on a witch hunt. I am only pointing out that due to nepotism, there exists KAS inside of KIS. I have heard a lot of grumblings from people who worked for KAS, and I have as much right as any other person to air what I feel to be worthy of a TEFL.watch posting.

Furthermore, your claims about the satisfaction of current and former employees is uncanny; in fact, I have heard very little positive from the mouths of those folks. 

If I am wrong, and the owners have the qualifications to be administering the SEAL and EAL programs inside of an accredited international school, then I will retract my entire thread; I will ask the TEFLwatch.com administration for it to be removed. But, if they do not have the qualifications, then I will just let the sleeping dog lie. I though this was a dead topic, but obviously I was wrong.

Lastly, I am jealous (I know that is a sin) and maybe I acted unfairly; however, I believe it was nepotism that opened this door to the owners of KAS to get into KIS and I believe that it is nepotism that keeps it open. Nevertheless, I am not saying KAS is all bad; I care less about the KAS business outside of KIS as long as I never meet a disgruntled employee. I know I am not the only one who is jealous of this situation, and after this past week, I really know it! AS

[ajarnsarah]

Dear Respected Educational Community,

I believe it is due time to call for a boycott of both KIS International School and KAS Language Centre. The current political mess in Thailand has been caused by Thaksin, members of Thaksin's family and members of TRT. KIS international School and KAS Language Centre (operating inside KIS) are owned by Thaksin's cousin and the former, TRT-Minister of Transportation. These people have plunged the country into deep political trouble for their own personal interests. Please join a growing number of us who are boycotting both schools. Many teachers will not return to teach at KIS as part of the boycott; parents are quickly becoming aware and joining us by transferring their children to other schools. Be vocal against any business that funds these criminals -boycott KIS and KAS now and fight against evil. Thanks, Sarah

[danner]

If this is true, I will move my son to another school for the next school year; I was thinking of doing it anyway because the princible is all gung-ho about being the best school in Thailand with the highest test scores, but it is/was all hot air. I was sold when I heard the spiel, but in reality, most of the students speak horrible English. I am even more disappointed now that I suspect that my money is going into this X-TRT guy's pocket (a lot of money too; the school is very expensive). I have read many stories in the Bangkok Post and The Nation newspapers, and he is under investigation for a lot of terrible crimes (and chances are that he is as guilty as Thaksin and the rest of his mob).

Does anyone know the details of Sarah's claims or is she just another disgruntled employee?

[think4yourself]

For those who may not know, please expand on the acronyms KIS and KAS, please, i.e., give the fully name of the schools you have mentioned.  Thanks.

Are there any other reasons why you think people, whether parents or teachers, should avoid these places other than by reason of political association?     

[anyonefortennis]

Sarah,

in terms of the level of education on offer is it anything worse than one would expect at this / these schools?

It would seem that the educational progression of the students at these schools is far from your mind.........prey tell what will happen to the students when we are all boycotting the schools?

Perhaps we should also consider boycotting all schools whose directors / department heads etc. skim a little cream from the top...............but then I guess there'd be no where to work.

For what it's worth I think it is a silly idea, but good luck all the same.  

[ajarnsarah]

I am not talking about skimming cream off the top; I am talking about TRT, Thaksin and the current political mess in Thailand. Read the Nation or the Post for more insight into the mess I speak of. A boycott is one way to say we do not condone corruption; The former TRT-Minister of Transportation is up for some big crimes. Google it.... Sarah

To decode the acronyms:
 
KIS: http://www.kis.ac.th/home.html

KAS: http://www.kas-education.com/eng/centre/index.htm

[Sadly-confused]

I have to say sarah, this thread along with your last thread on this same subject appears to have more to do with your political agenda than anything to do with how the school is run, nor, for that matter, how said running is affecting the teaching staff!

[RobRoy]

When farangs delve into Thai politics...on bruises are the result.   While we all have our opinions its a good idea to remember we can't vote so what we think means as much as the little gift the soi dog left outside my gate today.

The Thais are even in a worse position.  Before, they knew who could "help them" (read bribe). Now with the new government most are confused as to where to get "help".

Just my observations Sarah.

[danner]

RobRoy,

I did some calling around and what Sarah says is true.

Also, why such a hands off policy on Thai politics? I work here and feel that I have the right to get involved in local politics; I am not overly concerned about how the Thais feel about my opinions. Sarah is probably a ticked off teacher, but her strategy is a win-win for her cause and Thailand's future if TRT-affiliates take a money hit and KIS does too.

I have read a bunch of posts on TEFLwatch to see if others are political and in fact, they all are.

I am pulling my kid out of KIS for several reasons, and I hope many other parents do too as these Thaksin associates are bad people (read the news people and get involved if you are moved to do so; is not Thailand a democracy?). Thais who live in England get a voice and I imagine that Thais in the USA, Australia, etc. do too.

[Nemesis]

We only need one thread per school so I merged these.

If someone posts about a school in March and then comes back and posts again in June about a school, I think one of two things has happened. The school really did something bad(or at least the poster thinks so) and the anger is very slow to leave(like many BCC teachers or Namtok's caning incident) or the school has done something against the teacher, like giving bad reference or messed up paperwork, etc.

I wouldn't dismiss here concerns so quickly. 

[anyonefortennis]

Read the Nation or the Post for more insight into the mess I speak of. A

Oh please.................the two bastions of fair and accurate reporting!

Your political allegiances are just that, yours, but to blame the political situation in Thailand solely on the shoulders of Thaksin is just naive.

Transparency and Thai (most) politics do not go together, just be thankful that thus far there has been no attempted putsch.

Rather than denouncing Thaksin and his gang, why not offer a political solution to the current situation?

Danner, anychance you can share your 'other reasons' for pulling your kids outta the school, then perhaps we can get to issues that affect those teaching there.

[RobRoy]

As I seem to recall this forum is about teaching...perhaps the mods can split this thread off to another forum to discuss politics.

What I want to know is the current situation at the school, not the retelling of old war stories from last year.  Give us some current information, answer questions like:
If you are still working there after all the BS, why?

If you are NOT working there, how do you accurately know the situation at the school?

If you are worried about politics and schools in Thailand, you're already got a problem.  Most university chairmen are part of the government.  Most of the current government is probably connected financially to a school somehow.  Get over it.

If the school hasn't been mentioned in a newpaper, why are you asking us to read a newpaper?  Remember, this forum is about teaching.

If you're pulling a student out of the school, please give us all the reasons why?  Especially since the semester has started.

If you're not working there and still posting about the school, remember, time does heal all wounds.  I went thru it and did survive.  Please stop bleating and let CURRENT teachers post their experiences there.

[danner]

A-fortennis,

Check my first post please. I will gladly elaborate later, but I think I covered the big reason/reasons why my boy is being pulled from KIS; I never considered KAS because the centre is just what the name implies, a language center {1,400/hour for a TEFL teacher -no thanks!!}. The school is based on hype and unreachable goals. Hot air from the head of school. Despite liking and respecting this man, I think he is blowing a lot of hot air and my child needs a better start in life and learning; we can not return to London on hype-education, and this year has convinced me that hype is what we are getting. The level of English and the price of the school are way off kilter.

Robroy (TEFL.watch director wanna' be -perhaps), 

The fact that a former TRT guy and Thaksin's cousin own KIS and KAS and that Sarah is angling to expose this unknown fact is quite worthy of being posted here. If you do not like the thread, please skip it... Who will Thaksin blame what he and Pojaman are jailed; who are the Thais supposed to blame? I think we can safely point a finger at Thaksin and TRT for the recent political trouble, but do enlighten us with a more informed point of view....

All the posts on TEFL.watch are political in nature; this post goes beyond the typical revenge-trip.

Sarah,

Please respond to these questions as you are the one on the inside of KIS and the original poster!!

[Nemesis]

And yes, I'm going to lock this down for a few days and when I unlock it, no need to talk about politics. If you really wanna gripe about this school and this connection to political figures, may I suggest Sour Gripes? Post it in the Sour Gripes Room.