LuangPrabangSchool
6/19/2013 21:38 EST
I'm a new member on this forum, and would especially like to reach out to expats with families who are making the move to Laos.
I am the Headmaster of the new, international school that recently opened in Luang Prabang. The school is called Kiettisack International School (KIS) and it was established 20 years ago in the capital city of Vientiane.
Last year, we set up a branch school in Luang Prabang, albeit in temporary accommodation.
Building work began on a superb new campus that's located in a beautiful rural location on the outskirts of the town. That new campus is slated to open at the start of the new school year in September 2013.
For expats with families, providing decent schooling for their children in Luang Prabang was a bit of a problem, but KIS can now offer a solution for all age levels. Our current school intake includes both Lao and expat children.
If anyone is interested to learn more about our school, please contact me by PM.
If you are a qualified teacher (degree and ESL or subject certificate), and are interested in working at KIS, please contact me. Whilst teaching experience is important of course, the need for 'paper' qualifications is a requirement of the Lao government, so I cannot consider those experienced teachers who not have the required qualifications.
Simon
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kerin1973
6/29/2013 04:31 EST
Good day.
We will be relocating to Loas in July and would like to find out about schooling for our 16 year old son. What options we have, cost etc. Please could you contact me at kerin_tweddle@yahoo.com
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barbsta
7/5/2013 03:10 EST
Hi
Simon I am interested in your school in Luang Prabang. What is the best way to contact you?
Barb
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gdeutman
7/14/2013 01:42 EST
Hi Simon,
i have an English degree and TEFL certification plus 7 years experience teaching ESL (Korea and Vietnam). Is that enough to work at KIS in Luang Prabang?
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aconcernedparent
8/10/2013 22:53 EST
As a parent of a young student who attends Kiettisack School in Luang Prabang, I know that all is not well with that school, despite the public assurances that the new British headmaster has given.
I've spoken privately with the headmaster to voice my concerns about a number of issues, especially concerning the building site where my son is expected to study in the 2013/14 school year.
It seems that the headmaster is being thwarted at every turn by the autocratic Lao director in his efforts to improve this school, both in the introduction of forward-thinking school policies and in the completion of the new school site.
I have complete confidence in this new headmaster, and I hear that he is very popular and has total support from his foreign and Lao staff.
Unfortunately, due to the short-sightedness of the school director, (the same person who rules the sister school in Vientiane), he has not been delegated any authority whatsoever to implement these much-needed policies.
I doubt very much that he'll be willing to remain in this powerless, figurehead role for much longer, and his departure will be a great loss for this new school.
Simon, I have spoken to other parents, and they support you 100% in your vision for this new school. I wish you luck in winning over the director.
Please, for the sake of our children and your staff, do not give up your struggle.
A Concerned Parent
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CUSMN
8/29/2013 19:35 EST
The language being used in the concerned parents comments are similar to the same language that Simon uses in a number of blog spaces where he has chosen to complain about his frustations of being unable to fulfill his job requirements as Assistant Director of KIS.
I have a very strong feeling that this concerned parent is not a parent at all but rather a disgruntled ex assistant director.
What is written in these comment is contrary to what I have heard.
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LuangPrabangSchool
4/3/2014 10:04 EST
This is a (very late) reply to the previous comment by poster CUSMN.
Their suggestion that I am responsible for the comments from poster 'A concerned parent' is not true, but those comments certainly reflect the views of several teachers and parents who confided in me.
I should inform this forum that I resigned my position as Headmaster after it became very clear that my role was simply as 'white-faced puppet'.
My authority was continually undermined by the school director and my policies and decisions overturned.
It became very clear that my input and direction as to the construction of the new campus was being ignored, especially concerning timescales for urgent completion of buildings and exterior works that would allow safe access by both pupils and staff. (As the Director was aware when I was hired, I had extensive, hands-on building experience of hotels in Thailand).
The ignoring of my input resulted in the kindergarten/primary building being constructed without any toilets, save for those actually inside several classrooms...
My suggestion to build access ramps, instead of steps, (to enable physically-disabled students or staff easy classroom access), was rejected on the basis (can you believe this?), that the school did not accept students with any form of disability, (contrary to Lao PDR law).
The external landscaping was totally incomplete, and the access road to the new campus was heavily rutted, muddy and a danger to students, staff and parents.
As the new term approached and the campus remained waterlogged in mud and unfinished construction, it was very clear to me who would be the 'scape goat' for this abysmal situation.
I am a professional educator, and I had a great team of teachers (foreign and Lao), administration and ancillary staff.
This new school had a wonderful opportunity to be a leading light in international education in north Laos.
I took a salary/package cut to accept this position, (I was previously Assistant Principal of a school in Myanmar), because I saw the potential to manage and guide this new school so that it could achieve an excellent reputation and high academic standards.
Sadly. my dream was thwarted.
Simon
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yosaP
6/17/2014 01:15 EST
Dear Simon,
I have some questions regarding bilingual/international schools in Laos. I am Thai and have been living abroad for many years. My daughter just started kindergarten this semester in Bangkok. It took me many months until I really decide to get her to school after a long search. So it came to my mind to want to set up a school myself and move out from Bangkok. The problem is, there are too many schools here to compete so it won't work economically to find enough good foreign teachers. The worker problem is a big issue in Thailand. Even the school that my daughter attends ,changes their staffs regularly.
So one day a Laos friend of my dad gave me an idea to set up a school in Laos instead. I start my research and couldn't find enough information. Would it be possible for you to consult me?
Best regards,
Yosa
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Sausalitosteve
6/24/2014 14:26 EST
Hi. Retired professional ( grad degree ) with online tesl cert and limited experience at a high school in Thailand will be spending November ( or more ) relaxing in Luang Prabang. Traveling alone so would like to help out as needed at your school. Prefer working with older children or adults. No true beginners as don't feel qualified. Can you let me know if this is possible. Thx
Steve
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Sausalitosteve
7/4/2014 10:55 EST
Never got an answer to my post. Assume the school does not need volunteers. Can someone recommend another school or temple where i might teach conversational english. Thx
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