Turkish education unions protest mandatory teacher aprons

Turkish education unions are launching organized protests and legal challenges against the Ministry of National Education’s mandate regarding dress codes and the compulsory wearing of white aprons for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Several unions, including Eğitim Gücü Sen, Hürriyetçi Eğitim Sen, and TÖBSEN, have issued decisions to allow members to wear free clothing or opt out of the apron requirement, arguing that such mandates lack proper legal standing and violate the hierarchy of norms. Other organizations, such as Eğitim-İş, have announced intentions to file lawsuits to annul the regulations.

The debate also extends to the 1982 regulation governing the attire of public employees. Educators argue that these decades-old rules, which dictate details such as hair, beard, and clothing styles, are outdated and fail to reflect modern societal changes and the evolving role of schools.