Turkey prepares for new school year amid teacher protests and policy changes

As the new academic year approaches in Turkey, various developments are shaping the education sector. The Ministry of National Education (MEB) has launched the ‘Ailemle Okul Yolu Programı’ (School Path with My Family Program) to support the transition of preschool, first-grade, and fifth-grade students through increased family involvement and guidance.

Simultaneously, teachers are facing logistical and professional challenges. Eğitim Bir-Sen Muğla Branch President Önder Uçak has called for the implementation of ‘provincial orders’ to ensure family unity during teacher appointments and requested that local authorities have more power to manage assignments, citing issues with the centralized MEBBİS module. Additionally, the Paid Teachers Solidarity Association held a protest in front of the MEB, demanding permanent status, retirement rights, and better wages, noting that their requests for meetings with Minister Yusuf Tekin have been ignored.

On the administrative side, professional development seminars have commenced via the ÖBA platform, requiring 100% participation for credit. Furthermore, the distribution of free textbooks is underway, with over 283 million books prepared for various grade levels under the ‘Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli’ curriculum. Experts are also advising parents on preparing children for their first days of school through gradual sleep adjustments and school visits.