Education Minister Tekin: Direct pathway to permanent posts closed for contract teachers

National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin gave a direct answer to thousands of contract teachers' demands for permanent posts: 'It is not possible to appoint those assigned on an hourly teaching basis directly as permanent teachers.' This decision directly affects a large cohort of educators who have worked for years under precarious conditions and must renew their contracts each term.

The Ministry of National Education has held this position before; however, in previous periods, certain quotas for permanent appointments were realized through temporary legislative amendments. This time, Minister Tekin's 'door is closed' message shuts the door on such flexibility as well. Contract teachers begin each school year without knowing whether their contracts will be renewed in early September; the summer months pass without salary. The requirement of a KPSS score remains in effect for transition to permanent status.