Vice Principal Academic
Asia, Malaysia
From India and Pakistan, to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, there are no shortage of teaching jobs available for people wishing to venture into exciting new territory. As long as you have the right certification and experience required for the role, there is a world of opportunity awaiting you in Asia. If the warm climates, amazing cultures and friendly communities are not enough, the salary packages and generous benefits will clinch the deal. Many schools will cover flight and accommodation costs, along with health insurance for you and your family – making it one of the best choices you can make with your career.
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
Asia, Malaysia
If you are thinking of applying for teaching jobs in Asia (southern region), you should expect the following salaries to be on offer:
| Average salary p/m | Top salary p/m | |
| India | £176 | £360 |
| Bangladesh | £188 | £290 |
| Pakistan | £175 | £275 |
| Nepal | £46 | £85 |
It is immediately noticeable that the wages available to teachers in Asian schools is much lower than the likes of the Middle East, or the Far East. However, the lower cost of living must also be taken into account, which will make these salaries more comparable. For example, consumer prices in the UK are over 178% higher than those in India and rent is also 430% lower than the UK.
Asian education systems will each have their own requirements, as will the individual schools depending on the role and education standards expected. For example, in India, the later the stage of education you want to teach at, the more specialised your qualifications will have to be. The opposite is true for primary, working in a similar way to the UK system. A Diploma will be needed to work in a primary school, while a Bachelor’s degree is required for secondary institutions. Schools will generally want you to have a M.Ed for more specialised subjects you want to teach, along with relevant real-time classroom experience. Work (or business) visas are required to work in any Asian country as a teacher, which can be applied for at your local embassy. Schools will be able to sponsor your visa and if you prefer, and they can take care of the process on behalf of you and your family to make things easier.
Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are the predominant religions in Asia, which also influences working practices in schools. This has a positive impact on children attending schools, as respect for elders and people in positions of authority is very evident, making it easier to manage classes throughout the day. There are some areas of Asian countries that are far less developed than others, which are usually located in rural areas. This can affect the standard of education on offer and the tools and equipment made available to teachers to carry out their job affectively. However, many Western teachers do find working in poorer parts of countries like Nepal and Bangladesh more rewarding, despite the difficulties and challenges that are posed. This also means that the working week can vary quite dramatically, depending on the location of the school and the facilities it has available to staff and children.
Aside from the chance to work in Asia to try enjoy new career opportunities and expand your horizons, it also presents the chance to travel across the continent. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are all situated very close together, making it very easy to journey from one to the other either on school breaks or on a job-by-job basis. Main cities like Islamabad (Pakistan), New Delhi (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal) offer comparable living standards to the UK in terms of housing, food and transport, although similar to the school themselves, more rural locations may not offer similar standards in this respect.