Lawmaker calls for 'legal regulation' for teachers, demanding swift parliamentary action

A Turkish lawmaker has urged the parliament to swiftly address the pressing issues faced by teachers in private institutions and those who have been unsuccessful in interview-based appointments for public sector roles. Doğan Bekin, a Deputy Chairman and Istanbul MP for the New Welfare Party, submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, detailing the struggles of these educators.

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Teachers working in private schools are fighting for their rights for days, along with teachers who are victims of interviews promised by the government for years. However, we sadly see that teachers who want to make their voices heard are met with violence and detentions while exercising their constitutional rights.

Bekin highlighted that despite years of promises from the government, teachers in private schools are fighting for their rights, including a minimum wage and equal professional rights with their public sector counterparts. He also pointed to the need for job security and an end to low-wage working conditions. The lawmaker expressed regret over the violence and detentions faced by teachers exercising their constitutional rights to protest.

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The demands of our teachers, such as a minimum wage for teachers working in private schools, having equal professional rights with teachers working in the public sector, recognition of job security, and an end to the low-wage working order, must be met without delay.

The "interview victim" teachers, who are unable to secure positions despite high scores on the KPSS (Public Personnel Selection Examination), are a growing concern. Bekin stated that the government's past promises to abolish the interview system for teacher appointments have not been fulfilled, and the practice continues to disadvantage qualified candidates.

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It is not an acceptable situation that teachers who are successful in the KPSS, which is currently taken into account in teacher appointments, cannot be appointed due to the interview. The rights of our teachers who scored high in KPSS but could not be appointed after the interview must be returned as soon as possible.

Bekin posed several questions to the Minister, inquiring about the total number of contract teachers nationwide, the number employed in each province over the past year, and the rationale for employing contract teachers if there is no perceived need for permanent staff. He also asked about plans to improve the conditions for contract teachers, such as ensuring full social security contributions and providing job security after the school year ends. Finally, he questioned whether the ministry has considered the demands of teachers protesting in Ankara and other cities.

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The relevant legal regulations must be taken to the parliament's agenda without delay to meet the rightful demands of our teachers.