Bello: No age requirement for China teaching jobs

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III

Even retired Filipino teachers may apply as English teaching jobs in China, according to Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Bello said those interested may apply even if they had already reached the retirement age of 60 “for as long as one is good in teaching.”

“There is none (or no age requirement). If they are good in teaching and they also know Chinese, much better,” Bello said in an interview.

According to the labor chief, the plan to deploy Filipino English teachers to China was still “a go” and this may start next month.

“The Chinese government is very keen about the implementation of the bilateral agreement that we signed,” said Bello.

He added that they are just waiting for the guidelines for the government-to-government hiring scheme to be finalized.

“Deployment could be anytime now. Once the guidelines are finished, they can go,” Bello said.

The labor earlier said that the Philippines was going to start deploying teachers to China last August but this was postponed due to the lack of guidelines.

While the guidelines are still being finalized, he said those interested to apply may already submit their applications to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“They can already apply with the POEA so their papers can be processed already and they can go as soon as the guidelines are finalized,” said Bello.

However, he warned applicants not to fall for similar offers of employment from recruitment agencies.

“Don’t fall for such offers. This is a government-to-government arrangement between the Philippines and China,” said Bello.

He said at least 2,000 English teachers are needed for the program, with those with knowledge of the Chinese languages having an edge.

“Maybe while going there to teach English, they can also learn it (Chinese),” Bello said of those who did not know how to speak Putonghua or Mandarin.

As to the salary, he said it ranges from US$1400 to US$1600 and the contract may be renewed after two years.

Bello and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Employment of Filipino Teachers of English Language in China last April.