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would appreciate any input from teachers to help us in this major upgrade project.
E-mail As
the Hong Kong pages grow
we shall provide the TEFL professional with further information. At this stage
we provide information on the Government Program called NET. 
The NET
scheme is the younger of the axis of Asian EFL programs (JET, EPIK, NET)
having commenced in 1998/1999. However expat foreign teachers were teaching in
Hong Kong long before this program began under a direct hire system to Hong Kong
schools. Unlike the EPIK program which hires foreigners to train Korean teachers,
the NET scheme has been developed to enhance both English language teaching and
learning of the English Language. Salaries in this program are far in advance
of those available in the Korean EPIK program, and top levels salaries are in
excess of the JET program. Most
accounts received about the program are very positive, with teachers hired into
the scheme quite satisfied with their contract and conditions. The recruiting
materials provided by the Education Department are of excellent standard, and
clearly inform the intended teacher about life and conditions to be endured under
the new contract. Unlike
the EPIK site which provides a sample contract for examination, the NET site does
not place a contract online, but some contractual details can be gleaned from
the wording on the NET home pages. The NET scheme
was employing approximately 640 teachers in 2002, with an average of 9 applicants
applying for each one vacancy in the program. Those
who reach the interview stage receive a well prepared list of answers and questions
that are of paramount importance to the applicant. As
we receive further information on this program, we will place it on line with
any necessary commentary. Details
can be read on various sites, including entry through the government's Education
and Man Power Bureau site, and following the link to the NET scheme. The
Hong Kong NET scheme is reasonably well-paid. Once you are in Hong Kong there
are plenty of other opportunities, especially for someone with a doctorate or
well experienced and a Masters in Education or Linguistics.
Native
English-speaking Teacher (NET) in Secondary Schools Frequently
Asked Questions - Question:
Who will be your employer if you are offered a NET
post?
Answer: The school that you are matched
with will be your employer. You will sign a contract with the respective school.
Different schools will vary in different aspects such as the academic standard
of the students, school culture, etc. You are advised to consult the school principal
about these before signing a contract.
- Question:Can
I see a copy of a contract on line or will you send me one to peruse before I
decide to apply?
Answer:No. You will only
get a copy of the contract once you have been offered a position.
- Question:
What are the school hours?
Answer:
The school hours are usually from 8.00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with extracurricular
activities until around 5 p.m.
- Question:
What are the working hours?
Answer:
NETs are required to work during school hours, after school hours and sometimes
on weekends to perform duties within or outside schools.
- Question:
What is the class size in secondary schools?
Answer: The number of students per class varies between
40 and 45.
- Question:
How many days of school holidays are there in a school
year?
Answer: There are a total of 90 days
of school holidays per year excluding Saturdays and Sundays. Major holidays include
Christmas and New Year, Chinese New Year, Easter and Summer Vacation. However,
it is not unusual for teachers to be required to perform duties on school holidays.
- Question:
How is the salary assessed?
Answer: Salary
increments may be awarded for recognized relevant post-degree teaching experience
on production of relevant Certificates/Statements of Service. Without supporting
document, your salary will not be revised. Each Certificate/Statement of Service
must include the following:
- length of the employment, with exact dates;
- nature of employment (i.e. whether full-time or part-time);
- for part-time
employment, fraction of full-time experience;
- subject(s) taught; and
- age and levels/grades of students taught.
- Question:
What is the 'Special Allowance'?
Answer:
A cash allowance is provided for NETs whose normal place of residence is outside
Hong Kong. This allowance is mainly for meeting expenses on housing while you
are in Hong Kong. Should you and your spouse be both hired as NET, only one allowance
will be paid. Currently, the Special Allowance rate is HK$13,000 per month. The
rate is under review and may be revised when the offer of appointment is made.
- Question:
Issues on accommodation
Answer:
Flats in general are smaller and more expensive according to the standard in your
home country. Rental costs in different districts within Hong Kong vary greatly
in price. The monthly rent of an apartment of 800 ft2 varies from HK$7,000 to
HK$13,000 excluding outgoing expenses such as power bills, and water charges,
etc. Should you wish to know more about the rental costs in different districts,
you may search through some of the popular search engines for property web sites
for Hong Kong properties. Some web sites also include maps and schools of different
districts for your easy reference. Schools to which you are deployed will help
you in seeking accommodation.
- Question:
Will the round trip airfare be paid for?
Answer: Yes, NETs and their family are entitled to claim
airfare for coming to and returning home from Hong Kong for each contract.
- Question:
Is there any baggage allowance for a NET?
Answer: Yes, reimbursement of traveling baggage expenses
from and to country of origin is provided on first appointment. The rates are
as stated in your contract.
- Question:
The medical allowance?
Answer:
The medical allowance is for you to take out medical insurance during your contract
period. You will be reimbursed the actual expense on the medical insurance premium
up to the ceiling stated in your contract.
***
The terms and conditions of service are subject to the prevailing conditions at
the time the offer of appointment is made. ***
- Question:
Can a spouse work in Hong Kong?
Answer:
You need to consult the Immigration Department when you apply for a work permit
in Hong Kong. Normally, a spouse entering Hong Kong as a dependent is permitted
to work here.
- Question:
What schools will be available for a family NET's
children's education?
Answer: Very likely
your children will have to attend international schools. International school
fees are high. For details, please refer to the webpage on "Education facilities
for non-Chinese speaking children".
- Question:
Tax in Hong Kong.
Answer:
Standard income tax rate is 15%. There is no sales tax in Hong Kong.
- Question:
What is Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme?
Answer: It is a system of retirement protection. It
is statutory requirement under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance
(MPFSO) (Cap. 485) that all employees in Hong Kong have to enroll in an MPF scheme.
- Question:
How much is the contribution to the MPF scheme?
Answer: The contribution rate for both the employer
and the employee prescribed in the prevailing provisions of the MPFSO is 5% of
the employee's income (excluding Special Allowance), subject to the maximum level
of income of HK$20,000 per month.
- Question:
If you enroll in an MPF scheme, will the gratuity
be affected?
Answer: The contract gratuity
payable to the NET plus the MPF contribution made by the employer in respect of
the NET will be equal to 15% of the total basic salary during the contract period.
- Question:
Can a NET be exempt from the Mandatory Provident Fund
Schemes Ordinance (MPFSO) ?
Answer: An employee
can be exempt from the provisions of the MPFSO under certain circumstances which
include, inter alia, the following:
a. permission
is given for the person to land or remain in Hong Kong for the purposes of employment
under the conditions of stay imposed in accordance with section 11 of the Immigration
Ordinance (Cap. 115); and
b. the period during
which the person is given permission to remain in Hong Kong does not exceed 12
months; or
c. the person is a member of a provident,
pension, retirement or superannuation scheme established outside Hong Kong. (Such
schemes include personal retirement scheme as well as national retirement scheme.
It does not matter whether or not the member is making contributions to the overseas
scheme when the person is employed in Hong Kong.)
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