Recontracting and Transfers

From HyogoAJET

In October, your school/BOE should give you a form with the title "JET Programme Re-contracting Procedures." This is the form that you use to indicate if you want to recontract, apply for a transfer, or apply for a type-change. If you want to apply for a transfer or a type-change, and the deadline is coming up and you still haven't received this form, talk to your go-between or email us at hyogo_pa@yahoo.com.

Contents 1 When Do I Have To Decide On Recontracting? 2 Can I Change My Mind After Deciding Not To Recontract? 3 How Many Times Can I Recontract? 4 Can My School Choose Not To Recontract Me? 5 Transfers 5.1 I Like JET, But I Want To Get A Transfer. 5.2 Are There Any Reasons That Are Always Turned Down? 5.3 What About A Type Change? 5.4 I Want To Take A Shot At Being CIR, But I Don't Want To Give Up My Position At My School. 5.5 Isn't There An Elementary ALT Type Change?

[edit] When Do I Have To Decide On Recontracting?

All Senior High School ALTs will be first asked if you wish to renew into a second year in December. This is to give CLAIR an idea of numbers, and also to make you start thinking about it.
Junior High School ALTs - you will not be asked in December, but will be asked just once in February.
Senior High School ALTs - In December, if you say no, then that will be your final decision, whereas if you say yes, you can change your mind later.

In December if you are not 100% sure you don't want to renew, please indicate that you are not sure. You will be asked for your final decision in February. If you decide not to renew, your contracting organization may not like that decision, but it is in your and their best interests to be honest with them. Explain why you are not renewing. If you just say you will stay, and then drop out last minute, that may mean that your school will not get a JET in the following year.

[edit] Can I Change My Mind After Deciding Not To Recontract?

No, one cannot change their intention to recontract after the decision has been made. In the CLAIR news it states that in some prefectures it may be possible for a JET who did not intend to re-contract at first to replace another JET who changes his/her mind and decides not to re-contract if it is within the same Host Prefecture/Designated City. However, Hyogo recruits all of their JETs through the official CLAIR process, so it is not possible to replace an outgoing JET in this prefecture.

[edit] How Many Times Can I Recontract?

In the past, JETs in Hyogo have only been able to recontract two more times (working on JET for a total of three years), unless they switched to the position of "Elementary ALT." As of 2007, JETs that are deemed to have exceptional work performance, experience, and ability, will be allowed to recontract an extra two more times (enabling that JET to stay for a total of five years).

Because of this change, the need for the special Elementary ALT position will cease to exist, and though it will still be possible to teach at an elementary school, this will no longer be available as a type-change.

[edit] Can My School Choose Not To Recontract Me?

Yes. Regardless of the decision that you make, your renewal is still dependent on if your host institution wants to recontract with you or not. FYI, your host institution will evaluate your job performance at some point, usually in January.

[edit] Transfers

[edit] I Like JET, But I Want To Get A Transfer.

Unless you get married, need to live near a hospital that can provide a certain treatment that you can't get where you live, or your position will be cut next year due to funding, you will probably not qualify for a transfer within Hyogo Prefecture. Inter-prefectural transfers are even harder.

If you do qualify, the deadline for an inter-prefectural transfer is usually in November, and the deadline for a transfer within the prefecture is usually in December. Also, no matter what your circumstances are, a transfer is never guaranteed.

[edit] Are There Any Reasons That Are Always Turned Down?

Yes, and we can almost guarantee that you will not get a transfer if you want it...

• to study Japanese culture/language somewhere
• to live near a good friend.
• because it was your original request.
• because your abilities are being under-utilized at your current job.

[edit] What About A Type Change?

There are three English speaking CIRs (who are also the PAs) in Hyogo, and usually at least one is an ex-ALT. In October there should be an announcement if there will be an opening among the CIRs (if there is already one ex-ALT, there might not be any openings). Be on the look out for this if you are interested in being a CIR next year. In the past there have been cases where ALTs who were interested in the type-change but didn't receive the forms until too late. The due date for this application is December, so if you haven't heard anything by November, contact us at the Kencho.

[edit] I Want To Take A Shot At Being CIR, But I Don't Want To Give Up My Position At My School.

Relax. If you apply for the type-change and don't get it, you can still choose to stay at your school.

[edit] Isn't There An Elementary ALT Type Change?

As of 2007, the Specialist Elementary ALT Position will no longer exist, so type changes for that position will no longer be available.

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