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I posted earlier this year that I thought NOVA could ride out its current wave of problems, but it seems that maybe this isn’t the case. 
I’m sorry to see that a lot of experienced teachers as well as newbies may be pounding the pavement very soon. Today was payday at NOVA and most teachers were reportedly not paid. According to postings on Dave’s ESL Cafe Japan Job Forum, some newly hired, yet-to-arrive-in-Japan teachers were contacted by NOVA in their home countries and asked if they wanted to reconsider coming. See the link below.
The situation is becoming quite grave now. Good luck to all those affected.
Dave’s ESL Cafe -NOVA Payday thread – click here
UPDATE: The latest from the Mainichi Shinbun
NOVA looks to shut down schools amid financial crisis
Major English language teaching chain NOVA is considering shutting down a large number of schools, it emerged on Thursday.
NOVA’s income from lesson fees has decreased since the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry issued the language school a partial business suspension order over its practices. Because of this, the school is apparently pushing for a turnaround, hoping to cut costs by trimming and merging unprofitable schools.
NOVA currently operates more than 900 schools, but problems with efficiency have emerged.
Officials close to the group said NOVA has already been trimming and merging schools, focusing on unprofitable schools with low student numbers, but in the future the chain will also apply the move to major schools in cities where rents are high and there is more than one school in the same area. As many as 100 schools could be affected.
The language school will reportedly make considerations for students, allowing them to take lessons at other nearby schools. (Mainichi)
Filed under: Commentary, News-Japan
Dude! If this isn’t the beginning of the end…?
I’m following on Dave’s now, but haven’t seen anything in either the English or Japanese media yet.
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I know, I know. It feels like this really is the end of the road. GaijinPot has many more NOVAites reporting on the daily goings on at various NOVA branches around the country. It’s easier to understand just how grave it is with NOVA from the Pot forum.