My argument is and always has been that the standard government contract is fair to both FT's and to their employers.Most if not all FT's working in China at state schools are offered said contract.But some other contracts offered here are less fair to FT's in the sense that they include clauses such as there is a probationary period of x days,or y% of the students must like your lessons,or if z parents complain,your contract can be terminated.

As I'm used to signing standard government contracts,I would not sign any other contract with such clauses that would allow me to be dismissed more easily,unless I couldn't get a job offering me the standard government contract.I'd have thought the above is common sense and well-known to most FT's.But clearly it isn't.

As for that private school in Suzhou,alarm bells would ring with me and many other FT's here when reading their contract.And that has been pointed out!Of course,FT's who have worked there or are now employed there complaining about the school is another aspect for consideration,which seems to have been proved beyond doubt by the number of complainants - read what Silverboy has to say and Raoul!

I advise all would-be FT's not to seek posts at private schools or training centres.Stick to state schools with standard government contracts.At the same time I realise that not every budding FT can make that choice,but if he can,I advise him to do so.