Teachers' Union Says School Discipline Cases Have Risen 66%

In a written statement, KTOEÖS Education Secretary Seçil Toprak said that inadequate school infrastructure, growing student numbers and staff shortages were worsening problems in education, leading to increases in disciplinary incidents, violence and bullying in schools.

Citing the union's "School Discipline, Violence and Bullying Survey Results" published in May 2024, Toprak said the number of disciplinary cases handled in schools rose by 66% between the 2019-2020 and 2023-2024 academic years. She added that disciplinary cases increased by 13.8% in the 2023-2024 academic year alone compared with the previous year.

'Need for 29 Counsellors and 18 Special Education Teachers'

Toprak said there is a current need for 29 psychological counselling and guidance (PDR) teachers and 18 special education teachers, but claimed the Ministry of Education had not carried out transfers or appointments in these fields. As a result, she said, schools with staffing shortages would begin the new academic year without the required personnel.

She also criticised attempts to fill teaching shortages through temporary appointments, describing the practice as "concerning" and arguing that educational planning and merit-based recruitment should be the guiding principles.

Toprak further pointed to class sizes reaching 40 students in some schools, as well as ongoing issues involving container classrooms, earthquake safety, students who do not speak Turkish, children requiring special education, and Cabinet decisions allowing students to advance to the next grade.

'One Counsellor for Every 250 Students'

Referring to UNICEF's 2021 report, "Perspectives of School Counsellors on the Quality Inclusive Education Model," Toprak noted that the organisation recommends assigning one psychological counsellor to every 100 secondary school students, provided counsellors are able to focus solely on their professional duties.

She argued that the current standard of one counsellor for every 250 students is not even being met, accusing the Ministry of failing to address the shortage. According to Toprak, the high number of students assigned to each counsellor makes it impossible to provide adequate support.

"We do not accept this irresponsible approach that undermines our children's right to secular, high-quality, safe, scientific and public education," Toprak said, calling for the education system to be restructured in line with scientific evidence and actual needs. She added that the union would continue its struggle against what it described as an approach that threatens children's future.