March 31, 2008
Dear Osaka JET Teachers, Throughout the last 18 years, many JETs have found their way into the NET program for longer-term employment. This path has become more narrow through the years with fewer NET positions available and now there is the real possibility that the NET program may end all together. For the first time since the beginning of the program, we have been offered only 4 month contracts. The program could end at the end of July. If you find yourself interested in the possibility of staying in Osaka... If you like teaching English... Please consider sharing your thoughts and ideas with OFSET Union. We are dedicated to pursuing full time teaching opportunities to improve English education. We will hold a press conference on a 5th floor BOE room on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 2:15. At the conference we will share our ideas and goals with local media representatives and hopefully give Governor Hashimoto a reason not to cut native English teachers out of the Osaka-fu budget. If you really want to get involved, please come to Starbucks Temmabashi near the BOE at 1:00. If you cannot come to the press conference this time but would like to help in the planning of the next conference, please contact me. If you would like to add your thoughts on any issue relating to improving English education please send them along and we will post them on OFSETUnion.org. Please go to this site for more details of the press conference too.
Sincerely,
Steven Thompson
OFSET Union General Secretary
090-1226-2317
www.OfsetUnion.org