SIX months ago, I wrote in this corner that only one Korean-owned English language school in Iloilo City, the New International Language Center (39 Arguelles St., Jaro), had registered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). I found that out after seeing TESDA Provincial Director Lorena Yunque.

Of course, nobody in his right mind would believe that a single school could accommodate the thousands of Koreans who are here primarily to study English under Filipino instructors. It is virtually impossible to move around the city streets without noticing the proliferation of Korean-run English schools.

The non-registration of these language schools is illegal because, in compliance with Republic Act 7796, TESDA, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have signed a memorandum of agreement requiring foreign students to secure a special study permit from the BI, and language schools catering to them to register with TESDA.

Last week, I checked again and found out that there are already two TESDA-registered schools. Aside from that mentioned above, there’s SNS Fame English Center on 27 M.H. del Pilar St., Molo.

Could this mean that the rest have adamantly chosen to ignore the registration requirement, since the Bureau of Immigration has taken no disciplinary action against their Korean owners?

If it’s any consolation, 13 other institutions offering the English Language Program have pending applications for TESDA accreditation: the Boram English Learning Center, Kuk-Che Uhagon Training Academy, Hi-Classs Tutorial Center, Ken Sparta Tutorial Center, CNC Language Center, J.I. Tutorial Center Secret Garden, PIKO International Language Center, Happy Kong Corporation, Columbus Language Center, EIP Language Center, Moohan Tutorial Services, TAS English School and Hanbit English Learning Center.

TESDA has issued a notice to 12 others, ordering them to cease and desist from offering the English Language Program pending registration with TESDA. They are the A+ English Academy, Educ Language School, Dream Language Center, GLS-Iloilo, Eliteline Learning Center, Athena English Language Center, EME International Language Center, Metro Korea, Darroca Training Center, Educommunication, Paran English Learning Center and Hello World Learning Services.

Director Yunque told this writer that she had already written a letter to Bureau of Immigration Alien Control Supervisor Francisco Artuz, requesting him to convince the wayward language schools to comply with the registration requirements, saying, “Registration of courses with TESDA assures that these schools meet the regulation and standards set by the Philippine Government for such courses and Certification and Authentication of documents can be provided to the graduates.”

I hate to say this, but if BI-Iloilo has gained notoriety in laxity in enforcing immigration laws, it must be because — take it from Tito Raul G. — its get-rich-quick officials have been “doing business” with erring Korean immigrants. How true is the rumor that some of these Koreans have gone around the law by engaging in business via Filipino dummies? Oh no! We could be opening a floodgate for undesirable aliens.

***

Like all sane Filipinos, this writer believes that the true reason why Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has dangled “cha-cha” – allegedly as an urgent way to peace via the implementation of the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity – is because it could pave the way for her staying in power beyond her 2010 term limit.

There’s only one way this habitual liar could change our impression – to “dance” the cha-cha only through a constitutional convention, not a constituent assembly of her lapdogs in Congress, on condition that the con-con delegates would be elected along with the new president and other elective officials in 2010.

7 Responses to “Too many Korean schools but…”

• 1
  Mackie P. Torres
  September 8th, 2008 21:37

  I thank the writer personally of dealing with this article with regards of illegal tutorial centre. I think and I believe that the government must and should monitor all English training institutions, in order that the Filipino employees will also be protected. I am an employee of Metro Korea for more or less than two years, within that stay we haven’t got any benefits which the law provides for us employee. At present I am on my indefinite leave worse to say when i reinstated i was terminated without any due reasons. Some of my officemates complain in the DOLE about certain benefits, some have been given what is due to them but mostly haven’t got and I am one of them.

  Your article stated that; the government had ordered a cease and desists for operation. I think its illogical way of dealing such problems. Before the government ordered the cease and desist for operation, I think they must first see to it that all these Filipino tutors working or any staff would be given what is due to them.

  I am appealing to you Mr. Herbert Vego, to channel these ills in behalf of all tutors who are victims of social injustices. Sad to say these injustices also are done by our fellow Filipino who is in the position. Like for example in my case, I am asking my former supervisor in Metro Korea when will I get my benefits, the answer “I don’t know”.

  I am appealing also to the Department of Labor to be fair in dealing labour cases, and to give action, ASAP.

  God Bless You!
• 2
  John
  September 30th, 2008 18:43

  Dear Sirs,

  Again I see that the Philippines is killing itself. Do you happen to know how much the DFA earns on every Korean? How many tutors, secretaries, janitors, boarding houses, coffee shops, bowling centers, photo developing shops, restaurants, jeepneys, resorts in Boracay and Bohol are depending on the Koreans?
  How many people are losing their jobs now? How many businesses are seeing their income going down?
  I agree that those people have to register…but again…in the end the Filipinos are the losers…again!!
• 3
  Keith Wakefield
  October 21st, 2008 11:39

  I agree with John that the Philippines are killing itself. The fact that the DFA earns a lot of money on every Korean, Chinese, Japanese and any other over seas student who comes to the Philippines to learn English. Money is earned by many tutors, secretaries, janitors, boarding houses, coffee shops, bowling centres, photo developing shops, restaurants, jeepneys, resorts. All of these people are depending on the over-seas students.
  How many people will be losing their jobs now thanks to TESDA How many businesses will be seeing their income going down? Income that the Philippines desperately needs.
  I agree that those people have to register but maybe there could be an alternative, maybe schools could be allowed to register to another organisation like the English Council with Native English Teachers, administrators, Teacher trainers and English proficiency exams. Maybe this could be the alternative for those schools that are not happy with the authoritarian attitude of TESDA. As John says in the end the Filipinos are the losers. Question: do TESDA have any native English Teachers or Administrators?
  Keith 
• 4
  maresse
  November 4th, 2008 19:36

  i have just read the article and i was shocked because for how many Korean tutorial centers in iloilo, only two have been registered with tesda and at the same time i feel relieved because i have just applied to one of the two registered school and i will not have to worry anymore if ever i will be hired…..its good that i have chosen the right tutorial center….thanx to the publisher…more power
• 5
  Brian Daly
  November 10th, 2008 14:50

  Good to see some information about Korean schools in ILoilo.
  Whats not so good is the lack of information regarding their Email addresses or web pages.
  Can anyone out there provide me with this information so that I might send emails and check their web pages.
  No where on the internet can I find this information or is it only available to Koreans
  PLEASE help me on this one. Many thanks. Email me with any information you might have
  Brian
• 6
  Che
  November 19th, 2008 23:36

  Thanks for the article. Another thing that the government should look into is the fact that the “tutors” are underpaid. I have personal experience receiving PhP500 for a 13th month and having to work 10 hours without overtime pay. The rule is take it or leave it.

  Also, there is an existing KOREAN association that black balls tutors who resign. When a tutor applies in another company that is a member of such association, the tutor is turned down. Some of these tutorial centers, have 30 as an age limit. Since when did teaching ever discriminated age? They say because the Koreans do not like to have old teachers? Oh yeah? In Canada, they have teachers as old as 50. Many Ilonggos are shortchanged by Koreans. Look into this, people.
• 7
  Che
  November 19th, 2008 23:45

  John and Keith: As a Filipino, I am not a loser if Koreans psuedo-learning centers close. The tutors are not treated well and they are underpaid, but of course most of us are used to our medicand and tortured psychology. It’s okay to be “enslaved” by unfair labor practices and by being shortchanged. They are foreigners and we love their dollars. Let’s pretend we do not know the atrocities and illegal practices because some money is better than no money. Right? Guess again.

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