Dealing with discrimination in Thailand

The Filipino Educators Council of Thailand Holds 2nd Conference Conference Theme: “Empowering the Community of Filipino Educators through Renewed Commitment, Courage and Competence" March 16th 2008 was another historic day, when for the second time, a Filipino Teachers Conference was held in Thailand, this time, at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok. Filipino teachers gathered to discuss concerns, problems and issues that seem to get worse as more and more Filipinos join the more than 8 million migrant workers who are out seeking greener pastures throughout the world. And as the political system back home grows more unstable, the number of Filipino teachers, and even those who are non-education graduates, are poised to increase. The Issues In Thailand, whenever Filipino teachers gather in workshops, conferences, and even in parties, talk usually tends to turn toward issues on hiring procedures, how native speakers always get the better remuneration package, and most especially, on the fact that many Filipinos feel they are always giving their work their 101%, yet such dedication seems to go unrecognized nor duly compensated. The last few years have been most difficult for the Filipinos. In 2006, there were about 60 international schools in the capital alone. The last few years, it has gone up to over 100. What does that mean for the Pinoy teachers? More schools mean more jobs, doesn’t it? But in Thailand, does it really? Normally, the answer would be ‘yes’. In Thailand however, it is a totally different ball game. While the rest of the world is soaking up in the increasing pool of non-native English speaking teachers, Thailand has her eyes set more on the “farang ajarns" (caucasian teachers), than the Filipinos. Though there are jobs available for Pinoy teachers, in most international schools, it would be as teacher assistants or aides, or as teacher substitutes. And for those select few who make it into the classroom teaching positions, generally, they will have to deal with a salary lower than their native English speaking counterparts. In some government or private schools, some Pinoys experience not being given copies of their contracts, being paid a salary that is lower than what is stated in their contracts, or being asked to do work outside their teaching hours without being compensated. “That’s discrimination!" would have been the natural outburst for most, and perhaps, rightfully so. But for the attendees of the 2nd Filipino Teachers Conference, the battle cry was not even near that. The consensus of the group was, whether discrimination of the Filipino teachers exists or not, the demand for “farang" teachers from most Thai parents, and consequently, most Thai schools, will stay. And no matter how much the Pinoys want a change of paradigm, the education of everyone involved about the merits of hiring a Filipino teacher would be one long journey. Lessons on Empowerment And so discussions for just compensation and benefits for the Filipino teachers in Thailand continue. But instead of going into the streets and shouting slogans like the rest of Pinoys back home do to oust President Arroyo, the Pinoy educators in Thailand chose to have their fight done within the four walls of Ruamrudee International School, best known in Thailand as RIS. RIS, is probably one of the very few schools in the whole country that does not look on color, race or ethnicity, as a yardstick for one’s salary. This is one reason why the Council chose Mrs. Susan Misner, Director for Curriculum and Professional Development at RIS, to be the keynote speaker at the said conference. “As expat teachers in Thailand, we are here seeking ‘our over the rainbow’ experience, in one way or another. However, there is still no place like home," Mrs. Misner said in her address. She went on to say that the theme of the conference, could be likened to the story of the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion in the story, the Wizard of Oz. As the story of Oz goes, each of these characters went on a perilous journey to see the Great Oz, believing he could grant them what they seek the most. The Tin Man wanted a heart, the Scarecrow, a brain, and the cowardly Lion, courage. Mrs. Misner likened the Filipino educators seeking for renewed commitment, to the Tin Man. In the years that she has been working at RIS, Mrs. Misner said she has not seen another group of teachers who has more commitment, or heart, than the Filipinos. She saw it in the way they are always willing to roll up their sleeves and take on difficult tasks. And like the Tin Man, such commitment or heart, no longer needs to be sought, because just like the Tin Man, it is already in us! Seeking renewed competence, according to Mrs. Misner, is just like the Scarecrow who thought he needed a brain. In her job as Director for Professional Development, Mrs. Misner signs teachers’ requests to attend workshops, conferences and the like. And she said, the Filipinos will be among the top of the list of those who seek trainings to become better teachers. And such a desire already translates into that which, like the Scarecrow, the Filipino teachers also seek – a brain. The one area Mrs. Misner said the Filipino teachers need to be doing more of, based on her own experience at RIS, is for more Filipinos to be less like the Lion, and have more courage to take on leadership roles. In her experience, she says, only a few choose to take the lead, but many would say, “Oh, I couldn’t!" The Solutions After Mrs. Misner’s talk, the participants stayed on to discuss many other topics, this time, with the participation from the Filipino Educators Council Directors Abel Cadias, Rolly Obedencio, Ces Orquiola, and Hedda Joy Tan. Scandinavian guest speaker Mr. Lars Pinnerup, who is a graduate student doing a study on labor rights and laws at the Chulalongkorn University also shared very useful information during the discussion. In a nutshell, the 2nd Filipino Teachers Conference participants came up with some very practical and proactive ways by which to counter the many varied problems that plague the profession in this part of the region. To “empower" themselves, the teachers are starting to realize they need to get better at what they do. And to do so, there is a need to attend workshops and conferences such as the one held at RIS so they hear, learn and get inspired by other teachers’ stories and experiences. Instead of merely talking and lamenting about each other’s woes at gatherings, it is imperative that the Pinoy teachers in Thailand once again roll up their sleeves and get down to the business of training themselves to be clear and articulate speakers, to learn how to present and market themselves better at the workplace and most especially, to commit time and energy to seek out and support professional development opportunities, like the ones the Filipino Educators Council has initiated in support of the Pinoy educators in Thailand. - Hedda Joy Tan, Siampinoy.com To find out about the Filipino Educators Council of Thailand’s projects for the rest of the year 2008, visit http://www.filipinoeducatorsinthailand.com.