New pay model for native English-speaking teachers risks lowering standards: group

Head of association for teachers says shift to lower packages may lead to educators with less experience and motivation

An association representing native English-speaking teachers (NETs) in Hong Kong has warned that less-attractive pay offered under a new hiring scheme risks lowering the quality of recruits and standards, with the contracts of some experienced educators not being renewed.

Most public primary and secondary schools seeking NETs have decided to switch to the flexible scheme, which no longer ties remuneration to years of service and generally offers substantially lower pay.

But the Native English Speaking Teachers’ Association warned that the model, introduced this school year, risked lowering the quality of education.

“Any sustained move away from an experience-based pay structure risks gradually diminishing the overall depth of expertise within the NETs cohort and, by extension, the quality of English education delivered to students,” chairman Andrew Monks said.

“The instability of the NET scheme will make it more difficult for quality educators to make Hong Kong their home or persuade experienced teachers to bring their families to Hong Kong.”

Under the new scheme, each primary or secondary school that opts for the government’s NET grant receives HK$900,000 (US$114,900) and HK$1 million respectively every academic year.