Turkish education unions mark World Teachers' Day with calls for reform

Turkish education unions, including Eğitim Sen and Eğitim-İş, have issued statements marking October 5, World Teachers' Day. The organizations highlighted the historical significance of the 1966 UNESCO and ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, noting that 2026 will mark the 60th anniversary of this international agreement.

Eğitim Sen held a meeting in Balıkesir to discuss various professional challenges, including employment issues, professional autonomy, and teacher shortages. Branch President Gürbüz Şahin emphasized the importance of union organization and collective struggle to protect the rights and working conditions of educators.

Eğitim-İş characterized the day not as a celebration, but as a day of struggle against poverty and the devaluation of the profession. The union stated that despite Turkey signing the international status recommendation, many commitments remain unfulfilled. They reported that inflation and the high cost of living have eroded teacher salaries, leaving many educators below the poverty line and facing issues regarding professional prestige and workplace security.