I have a pretty good relationship with my town and schools. However, there is a high possiblity that I won’t be offered a re-contract for my 4th year. Can I actually tell my BOE that I would like a transfer if I’m not offered a 4th year?
Would love to hear your experiences. Thanks\~
7 comments
As far as I know, yes. A lot of transfers seem to happen because of some boes having 3 year policies and jets wanting to continue.
You should be fine
That paperwork has to be filed before you’d be offered re-contracting papers
Are you a Muni JET? I know my Muni friends have to hound their BOE to know if they are recontracted. However, the transfer deadline has already passed though so I’m not sure if you would be able to one this late in the year. The deadline is usually late October or November.
In my BoE, it’s hard to get transferred out to another prefecture. They’re pretty strict on it and only do it under specific circumstances. Most JETs are done after three years here.
So yeah, check in with your BoE since ESID.
Two JETs thought they would be offered a re-contract because of sister-city relations but to their surprise they were not offered a re-contract and the transfer deadline was already long passed. So check in advance if possible if the BoE is going to offer a re-contract or not.
It is possible to transfer within the prefecture for your 4th or 5th year if your CO doesn’t allow you to recontract. However, it is stated in the paperwork that these kinds of transfers are rarely successful. My own attempt at it ended in failure as well. Make sure you are ready to apply for new jobs at the end of your 3rd year if you want to stay in Japan.
As a previous area leader ( not a PA ) I had two very different situations unfold with the people in my jurisdiction – however in Fukuoka, they didn’t have a term limit of three years either. From what I’ve gathered :
One just wasnt working out at thier school so the BOE contacted them and said if they were interested in recontracting, they had another school for them.
The other liked the school but didn’t like the supervisor and also had a significant other in another prefecture but requested a transfer when the program prompts that small window around recontracting time.
Both transfered successfully but I belive they were transferred under two differed hands.
As the former – the BOE ( prefectural ) reserved a space at anuder school they had,
And the later – contacts JET / CLAIR / The ministry of Education ( I’m not fully sure which ) to place the ALT with another CO / BOE and informs them that they themselves are interested in a new commer to fill that space.
If your BOE doesn’t offer anything – see if you can go so someone other than them from the Program itself. I can’t imagine any other CO would want to say no to the plane ticket in alone of a new participant over someone willing to move domestically.