about time ... hiring standard is/was

[Tan Elaine]

I am an aviation English instructor who works for a highly reputable company and I have always worked for companies or organizations that hire only instructors who meet a relatively high standard set by the United Nations’ agency, ICAO, for the aviation industry. I have never worked for any of these schools or organizations in Southeast Asia, but I’ve heard nothing but the horror stories of “ESL teachers” who “teach” in that region; they are described simply as “backpackers” with no qualifications other than a “strong desire” to teach English. Supposedly most don’t even have even undergraduate degrees in a related field to even teach ESL or they “earn” one or more weekend certificates from one of those UK or Canadian schools that doing it just to get their money and nothing else. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s about time that some kind of regulations or hiring standard is put in place in this region.

Should 'was' be used instead of 'is'? I was taught that 'about time' should be followed by a past-tense verb.

Thanks.

[5jj]

Based on what I’ve heard, it’s about time that some kind of regulations or hiring standard is put in place in this region.

Should 'was' be used instead of 'is'? I was taught that 'about time' should be followed by a past-tense verb.

You were taught the correct usage. 'Is' is not correct. Use 'was'.