30.01.2025 18:01
The Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, made a new statement concerning the 200,000 teachers working in private schools. Minister Tekin announced that the removal of the restriction on the green passport, which was previously only available to teachers working in public schools, is on their agenda.
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin made important statements at the meeting of the Turkish Private Schools Association in Antalya. Tekin stated that the issue of granting green passports to teachers working in private schools has been brought to the agenda.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TEACHERS WORK IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS?
According to the data from the Ministry of National Education (MEB), there are currently 975,698 teachers actively working. The number of teachers working in private schools is estimated to be around 200,000.
WARNING ABOUT EXORBITANT PRICES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin stated that institutions that apply exorbitant prices in private schools, do not provide their teachers with the rights they deserve, and demand unregistered fees from parents are harming the sector, saying, "My request from you is this; let’s carry out this process together. You either solve these bad examples among yourselves or reach out to us, and we will do what is necessary. Working together is only possible this way. Let me say it again. As long as you do not do it, we will do it. Our enforcement power includes both punitive measures in economic terms and can go as far as closure; we will not hesitate."
The 23rd Traditional Antalya Education Symposium of the Turkish Private Schools Association started in the Serik district of Antalya with the theme "Private Schools in Turkey and the World." Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, who attended the symposium held from January 30 to February 1, made statements about the fee policies of private schools and inspections related to the sector.
"THERE IS A MISLEADING PERCEPTION ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOL FEES"
Minister Tekin stated that generalizing the criticisms of fees directed at private schools to cover the entire sector is incorrect, emphasizing that the perception created in the public does not align with mathematical realities. Tekin said, "Criticism is being made based on some schools that provide very high-level services and charge high fees. Now we are looking at the data in our system. There are 12,000 private schools in Turkey. However, the number of schools that demand high fees within the mentioned fee scale is only 22. We know mathematics; we have data. We need to oppose this generalization made based on 22 schools out of 12,000 private schools and correct this perception." Addressing the issue of salaries of teachers working in private schools, Minister Tekin expressed that they are closely following the efforts to improve the rights of private school teachers, stating, "While the Teaching Profession Law was being discussed, a very different perception was created in the public regarding the salaries of teachers working in private schools. We are closely monitoring this process. We all want educators to receive the compensation they deserve, and this issue is our common concern."