Project school teacher not reappointed: 'I think my membership in Eğitim-İş had an impact'

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

The latest appointments made under the "project school" practice, which the AKP implemented in 2014, resulted in what is essentially a purge of teachers. Within the scope of the practice, schools that are entered with the highest scores, such as Cağaloğlu Anatolian, Kabataş Boys', Pertevniyal, Beşiktaş Atatürk Anatolian, and Kadıköy Anatolian High School, were included in the "project school" scope. The preference period for teachers working in project schools came last month, and the results were announced two weeks ago. 

A teacher who has been teaching for 11 years and has been working at a project school in Kartal for the last 2 years learned that they had not been appointed anywhere when the results were announced. Speaking to 12punto, the teacher stated, "I am a member of the Eğitim-İş Union. The union had decided to hold a strike in January, and I participated. I think this had an impact on my not being reappointed."  

The teacher said the following: 

"This is my 11th year in the profession. I have been working at a project school in Kartal for 2 years. I listed the school where I have been working for 2 years in my preferences. I was not reappointed. I became a surplus to the norm. There is an empty position at my school, but despite this, I ended up in a surplus-to-norm situation."

There is also an atmosphere of uncertainty. The process seems very difficult to understand... 

"No official document was served to me. We saw that we were not reappointed on an internet screen. Everything is done by word of mouth, in line with the wishes of certain people. There are really no criteria. Even though we are the subjects of the matter, we are as informed as everyone else. 

'AUTHORITY WAS LEFT TO THE PRINCIPAL'

The principal and a designated commission make the decisions regarding the recruitment of teachers to project schools. Or rather, they offer a recommendation in a sense. But generally, organizations like the ITO (Istanbul Chamber of Commerce) or ISO (Istanbul Chamber of Industry), which should be present at this stage, do not participate, and the responsibility and authority here are left to the principal. They send the teachers who have made preferences to the principals, and the principals, from among them or by adding others if they have their own wishes outside the list, send them as a letter of opinion. For example, I do not have my approval on that letter."

Why do you think you were not reappointed? 

"I am a member of the Eğitim-İş Union. The union had decided to hold a strike in January, and I participated. I think this had an impact on my not being reappointed. 

The principal who will serve in vocational high schools is required to be a 'vocational expert'. That is the rule. However, the principal who did not approve my appointment is currently a culture teacher. Despite this, they have been serving as a principal in a vocational high school for a year and a half. This principal even attends the MESEM (Vocational Training Centers) classes held at the school on weekends. Even though they are a culture teacher, they are providing themselves with an additional source of income in this way."

News Source: Hazal Güven

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