I have to be honest and say I'm tired of hearing about the poor students at Nova. I am an ex-Nova teacher who quit fairly recently. I am fortunate enough to have found another job before the downfall of Nova, but I am still waiting for more than six-weeks' wages. I have friends and former coworkers who are in a far worse situation than the students and me. When will the media concentrate on how bad the situation is for thousands of foreign teachers here?

Japanese media continues to dominate the TV and newspapers with news, gossip and sagas concentrating on Japanese only. Well, in this situation the hard-done-by are actually the teachers. The students, for whom I have the utmost respect, have lost lots of money, but they are lucky enough to have family here, a roof over their head and monthly salaries coming in regardless of the money they lost on studying English.

Some teachers, on the other hand, are actually destitute! No way to pay for next month's rent, next to nothing in their wallets, no jobs and no hope for future employment. They don't even have money to pay for their tickets home.

I feel for the students because I met some fantastic people, thanks to Nova, but I'm not so worried about them because they are mentally and physically safe and secure. This I cannot say for most of the Nova teachers. A big thanks to the embassies for trying to help the teachers, but I and others would like to see the Japanese government take a stand and make more of an effort to assist. After all, shouldn't the government try to protect all of its international relations in the hope that its foreign counterparts will return the help when the need arises?

cherie lang