The Ministry of Education has officially released a new comprehensive directive titled "General Education Teachers' Promotion Implementation Directive No. 1148/2018," which applies to public school teachers ranging from pre-primary to secondary levels.
The newly introduced guideline outlines a wide range of rigorous criteria that teachers must meet to advance to higher career tiers.
Among the standout provisions in the new document is a strict mandate requiring that for any teacher to qualify for a promotion, at least 75 percent of the students they teach must score 50 percent or higher, with the results verified by an independent body.
The Ministry stated that this mechanism is designed to ensure educational quality, boost student performance, and strengthen teacher accountability and responsibility.
Overall, the directive aims to genuinely encourage teachers who achieve exceptional results in their instructional duties, elevate their work motivation and morale, and sustainably safeguard overall educational quality.
According to the new framework, the general education career ladder is divided into seven distinct tiers: Beginner Teacher, Junior Teacher, Teacher, Senior Teacher, Associate Lead Teacher, Lead Teacher, and Senior Lead Teacher.
Clear residency periods have also been established for promotion execution. Transitioning from a Beginner to a Junior Teacher requires two-year tenure, while subsequent steps demand a three-year service period at each respective level.
However, the directive imposes a strict limitation on promotion attempts, stipulating that if a teacher fails to secure a promotion twice consecutively or across separate competitive rounds, they will lose the opportunity to compete for a third time.
To become eligible for promotion competition, teachers must fulfill core common requirements, including holding a degree in the teaching profession from a recognized institution, possessing a professional license certificate, and passing the exit examination specifically for beginner teachers.
Additionally, beginner teachers are required to complete at least 40 hours, and junior-to-higher level teachers 60 hours, of profession-oriented short-term training, alongside properly executing their Continuous Professional Development plans.
Criteria set for advancing to upper-level promotion tiers encompass not only instructional proficiency but also engagement in research and community service participation.
Nevertheless, the new guideline also incorporates a framework providing fast-track promotions for teachers who demonstrate exceptional and outstanding performance.
