I saw some pictures of the school where I work and I could not believe the extent of the damage. (The pics below are before and after) I can’t even contemplate how long it will take to fix it and be ready for reopening. After seeing those pictures I can imagine the homes of some of my students and wonder what the long term effects of this natural disaster will be.
After 3 delays, the official start back date for Bangkok schools is December 6th but there is no start back date for Saipanya Rangsit; it’s currently unknown. All the teachers have a meeting at BFITS on Monday the 28th to discuss how each school will make up for time lost. The word is that some schools will extend hours and have classes on Saturdays, while some schools will extend the end of term date. I have heard that many schools are not paying their teachers while they are out. I am lucky in that BFITS has paid us all of October and we will receive our full November salaries as well. I cannot speak to December though, particularly for those of us that teach at Saipanya Rangsit. To me, it seems like the extent of the damage will take at least 6 months, if not longer, to clean up, but what do I know.
These are my predictions. They could close the school and send the students to neighboring schools in the area. They could cut out any elective type classes—meaning mine— so that the students could concentrate on the science and math that is required of the term. They could set up the school at an alternate location, although if they do that it would take a lot of time. My fear that I mentioned in my last blog seems like a real possibility. No matter how you look at it, my school is out of commission for quite some time so my common sense tells me that they will not want to continue paying teachers such as myself, that are recent hires, and only here for the 1 term. I suppose a transfer could be possible, but it seems unlikely because those spots would go to the teachers from SPR who have seniority, and I don’t think there are many openings currently anyway.
So I am in a state of limbo because I just do not know the fate that awaits me. If BFITS can’t afford to keep me I will bust my ass to find another job here, but I think it will be tough because I am only staying until the end of the upcoming term. I have to be home by May so I can take my math test for certification. As much as I miss my husband and family, the thought of having to come home early is awful for me. I'm just not ready yet. As I sit here complaining though, my heart goes out to the students at SPR whose homes have been ruined. It certainly makes my troubles petty in comparison.
