12.04.2025 16:10
A teacher appointment crisis is occurring in Turkey's most successful high schools, known as project schools. The crisis began when the Ministry of National Education classified hundreds of teachers at these schools as surplus. This situation has been protested by teachers, students, and alumni. A post by Sabit Doğan, a teacher working at a high school in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, went viral.
The results of appointments and administrative assignments in project schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education were announced on April 9. However, the lack of explanation regarding the criteria for these appointments has led to discussions.
PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE STARTED
Unions calling for an end to arbitrary practices in these schools held protests in front of the Ministry of National Education and provincial education directorates, demanding the cancellation of the appointments. Students in project schools also staged actions to prevent their teachers from leaving.
SABIT TEACHER'S VIDEO WENT VIRAL
The post of teacher Sabit Doğan, who works at a high school in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, went viral on social media. In the video, Doğan stated, "33 teachers, including myself, were left without positions from Beşiktaş Sakıp Sabancı Anatolian High School," and expressed, "We are in the infinite happiness of being with our students who love and want us."
ROOTED IN 10 YEARS AGO
The basis of this practice implemented by the Ministry dates back 10 years. The Ministry of National Education started the 'special project school application' in 2015, and some of Turkey's most successful schools, such as Istanbul Erkek, Kabataş, and Kadıköy Anadolu, were included in this scope. When the application started, the number of 'educational institutions implementing special programs and projects' was 150, and by 2024, this number is expected to reach 2300. Teachers and administrators who completed 4 years in these institutions would apply to the ministry to either continue at the school or request to transfer to another school.
THEY WERE GIVEN EXCESS STATUS
Despite the application, some teachers were assigned contrary to their requests, which caused reactions. However, it was claimed that in this year's implementation, significantly more teachers and administrators were given excess status compared to previous years.