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More teacher complaints about a B.C.-certified school in ChinaNovember 29, 2012. 2:18 pm • Section: B.C. Education Report

Students at Tianjin Maple Leaf International School

I continue to receive written responses to my Saturday story describing the concerns of some teachers at aB.C. offshore school in China. These emails are raising questions about who is responsible for the quality ofeducation at B.C.-certified schools.

On Saturday, I reported that a teacher at Tianjin Maple Leaf International School has written to EducationMinister Don McRae on behalf of several colleagues who allege that the school has inflated marks, violatedwork contracts and harassed staff. The private company that owns the school, Maple Leaf EducationalSystems, has denied the charges, and some Maple Leaf teachers posting on this blog suggest the accusers area disgruntled few.

Today I received an email from another teacher who complained about the same school in 2010. EdVanderboom, then B.C.’s inspector of independent schools, showed little interest at the time, telling theteacher to take his concerns to the school principal and the company’s B.C. agent (who was, at the time,Susan Penner — Vanderboom’s predecessor). “I am confident that in this way you will be better able to findan acceptable solution to the challenges you may be facing,” Vanderboom wrote.

12-12-28 11:38 AMMore teacher complaints about a B.C.-certified school in China | Vancouver Sun

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The teacher, who was also a department head, said his concerns were shared by many, but the principal didn’ttake action. Rather, he said he was reprimanded and told to leave his “foreign mentality at home.”

Here is an excerpt from that teacher’s 2010 email:

I am writing in response to a growing concern at our BC offshore high school. The concern pertains largelyto our school’s inability to meet PLOs (prescribed learning outcomes) and other accreditation standards(resources, safety, the emotional/physical welfare of students, etc.)

Though we have failed to meet accreditation standards in several areas, and despite making that clear to theaccreditation team, we have nevertheless passed accreditation and have remained a substandard schoolbearing the British Columbia name.

Though our concerns are endless, I am presently looking for advise as to my obligation as a member of thecollege of teachers – as that obligation pertains to the delivery of British Columbia curriculum, and acommitment to student welfare.

Presently, I am teaching a senior chemistry class to two groups of 23 students. As we follow a non-semesterprogram, my class has been in session since late August – and though this is senior chemistry, we have yet tosee a single chemical. Though several attempts have been made (over the course of 2 years) to place orders,the school and its head offices have been unable to supply us with the resources required to complete thecourse and fulfill PLOs.

At present, intermediate sciences and senior physics PLOs have been interpreted so as not to require anyhands-on, lab work, or resources - aside from a book. And that book is some times only asupplementary workbook, and not a textbook.

These problems extend to physical education classes, art classes, and most other courses which requirefinancial and resource support. . . .

With the end of the year fast approaching, I am seeking advise as to my required course of action. Do I grantthese students their grades and credits, or withhold them, and admit that we’ve failed to deliver the BCprogram?

Thus far, the only solution I have received from administration is to ”omit whatever units require resources,and can not be fulfilled” - the rationale being “sometimes we just can’t get to all the PLOs”.

Resources, and the delivery of curriculum is only the beginning. My next email to you will pertain to seriousshortcomings in our ability to cater to the health, safety and general well-being of the students.

I am searching desperately, please advise.

To this, Vanderboom replied in an email (which the teacher forwarded to me): “Your concern regardingadequate resources for the delivery of the BC program should be addressed to the school principal and theBC agent. I am confident that in this way you will be better able to find an acceptable solution to thechallenges you may be facing.”

This teacher, like some others, doesn’t want his name used because he fears fallout that could hurt his career.In his email to me, he wrote this about his time at Tianjin:

12-12-28 11:38 AMMore teacher complaints about a B.C.-certified school in China | Vancouver Sun

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“I worked there for two years. I feel like I sold my soul. I should have blown the whistle sooner.”

It’s not yet clear that blowing the whistle gets results.

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