Turkish courts rule on teacher appointments in project schools

Turkish administrative courts in Ankara, Tokat, and Kayseri have issued rulings regarding the appointment and extension of terms for teachers and administrators in special program and project schools. The courts ruled that the Ministry of National Education cannot exercise unlimited discretionary power when deciding not to extend the four-year terms of staff in these institutions.

In several cases, including those involving teachers in Yozgat, courts overturned previous decisions that had rejected appeals. The judiciary emphasized that administrative decisions must be based on concrete, objective, and verifiable criteria and the principle of merit.

Legal representatives for the Turkish Education Union stated that the court found a lack of documented success criteria or specific data to justify why certain teachers were not reappointed to their positions. As a result of these rulings, affected teachers may return to their previous schools upon request.