Scenario 1

Many teachers in your school would love to be able to travel during the summer to see loved ones for the first time in 2-3 years. This is clearly a complex situation with no straight-forward solutions. However, most schools have made commitments to teach face-to-face whenever possible, which means needing all teachers in the country for the new school year in August. With the current quarantine rules and an unpredictable number of covid cases and controls within China, any plans for expats to re-enter China have a high level of uncertainty.

Based on your school’s context and your knowledge of the scenario described above:

  • Does your school have a clear position/view on allowing expats to travel home to visit family during the summer?

  • What are the main hurdles/difficulties that would need to be resolved to allow at least some of your staff to travel during the summer?

  • What is your school already doing in relation to this issue?

    • If travel is not possible:

      • How was this communicated to teachers?

      • How was the news received?

      • Have you been able to make exceptions for some staff (e.g. bereavement)

    • If travel is possible:

      • How is your school supporting people who are planning to travel?

      • Is your school offering any incentives for people to stay?

Scenario 2

Due to the challenges of recruiting teachers from outside China right now, and the added difficulties of securing visas and transport to enter the country, most schools are hiring teachers who are already in China wherever possible. As a result, there have been cases of teachers being poached by other schools. Poaching is when staff are approached unofficially by another school while they are still under contract. The result is staff break contract to move to another school, often at very short notice.

Based on your school’s context and your knowledge of the scenario described above:

  • Has your school lost any teachers due to poaching?

    • If so, how did your school respond to the staff member and the other school?

    • What impact did it have on the community? Were you able to fill their position in a timely manner?

  • Has your school been able to do anything to reduce the risk of staff being poached by other schools? (e.g. contract changes or agreements within networks like Search or ACAMIS to refrain from it and/or report cases of it)