Over 300 Thousand Teachers to Have Specialist and Head Teacher Opportunities by 2025
New Regulation Allows Faster Career Progression for Teachers in Turkey
The Teaching Profession Law in Turkey has undergone some changes after the Constitutional Court annulled certain provisions of the law that came into effect in 2022. One of the major changes includes the reinstatement of career practice, which had been previously eliminated. This new regulation was published in the Official Gazette on October 18.
In accordance with this law, the “Regulation on Candidate Teachers and Teaching Profession Career Stages” has been published in the Official Gazette today. This regulation aims to facilitate a quicker progression in the career ladder process by 2025. For instance, teachers who have served for 20 years and obtained the title of expert teacher will no longer need to wait an additional 10 years to become head teachers.
Under the new regulation, teachers with a total of 20 years of teaching or specialist teaching experience can directly apply for the title of head teacher. Additionally, those with at least 10 years of teaching experience, without any penalties of grade advancement suspension, can become specialist teachers after completing the necessary training program.
Furthermore, individuals with a minimum of 10 years of specialist teaching experience, without any penalties of promotion suspension, can qualify for the title of head teacher by completing the required training program.
One significant change brought about by the new regulation is the abolition of examination and professional study requirements for the career progression process. This means that more than 300 thousand teachers will be eligible to receive the title of specialist teacher or head teacher in the first application round of 2025.
In 2022, a total of 516,974 teachers were awarded the title of specialist teacher, while 66,679 teachers received the title of head teacher. In 2023, 69,881 teachers became specialist teachers, and 3,891 teachers were granted the title of head teacher.
These amendments aim to enhance the career prospects and professional development opportunities for teachers in Turkey, ultimately benefiting the education sector and the students they serve.
