No one needs a recruiter to work in a crap school.

I assume the implication of that is that you might need one to work in a good school. I totally agree with you, some positions, bad and not so bad, are unavailable unless you go through a recruiter for the newbie teacher sitting by his computer nibbling his apple pie somewhere in the Appalachians.

I would advise newbie FT's not to get involved too much in how the Chinese handle their tax returns. I had a good job in China once, but the school wouldn't even let me see a payslip. I decided it was n't worth anguishing over, they were paying me 14000 out of 15000-they also paid for a good flat, all my holidays etceteras-what the hell as long as they treat you properly- I mean I wouldn't even get a job cleaning out the toilets in an English school (one in England) because I'm not a proper teacher-I do have a degree and TEFL but a real teacher attends Teachers' Training College for a good few years after leaving university. It's not a proper job or career move FTing in China, it's a long working holiday-so only worth worrying about what really affects you-best not to manufacture agro.

All recruiters and schools will tell you a pack of old lies, it goes with the territory I'm afraid.