Contract teacher salaries — How much did they increase after the July 2024 raise? Current contract teacher salaries changed as of July. Here are the details.
Many people aiming to work in the education sector compete for positions as contract teachers. Contract teachers are employed in formal and non-formal education institutions by being appointed to vacant norm positions determined by the Ministry of National Education.
Contract teaching is a profession that carries both advantages and disadvantages. In this article we explain what contract teaching entails, the differences between contract and permanent teachers, the 2024 contract teacher salaries, whether contract teachers can request spouse-based transfers, when contract teachers can switch to permanent status, and what rights contract teachers have.
WHAT IS A CONTRACT TEACHER?
A contract teacher is a teacher employed under Article 4/B of the Civil Servants Law (Law No. 657) who signs a service contract with the Ministry of National Education and is appointed to vacant teacher norm positions in formal and non-formal education institutions, primarily in regions that are prioritized for development.
Contract teachers often serve in positions designated as trainee teacher roles. Teachers who successfully complete their contract period are promoted out of candidacy and assigned to permanent teacher posts at their location.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONTRACT TEACHER AND A PERMANENT TEACHER?
The main difference between contract and permanent teachers is the appointment method. Permanent teachers are assigned to norm positions determined by the Ministry of National Education based on KPSS scores and candidate preferences. Contract teachers are appointed to vacant norm positions based on KPSS scores and oral exam results. Contract teachers must work at their assigned location for at least three years. Permanent teachers may request reassignment after working at their post for at least one year for reasons such as spouse relocation, health, or other valid excuses.
Another difference is salary. Contract teachers generally receive lower pay compared with permanent teachers because they do not benefit from certain additional payments such as special service compensation, seniority pay, family allowance, child allowance, foreign language compensation, or share of revolving funds.
HOW MUCH ARE CONTRACT TEACHER SALARIES IN 2024?
Contract teacher salaries vary according to factors such as years of service, education level, region of employment, marital status, and number of children. In 2024, a contract teacher with a bachelor’s degree and one year of service has an average net salary of around 35,000 TL.
CAN A CONTRACT TEACHER REQUEST A SPOUSE-BASED TRANSFER?
Contract teachers who wish to request a spouse-based transfer must have worked at their assigned location for at least three years. Teachers requesting such a transfer may be assigned to vacant norm positions in the province where their spouse resides. However, assignments for spouse-based transfers cannot exceed 10% of the norm positions in the spouse’s province. Therefore, contract teachers seeking spouse-based transfer should consider the available norm positions and quota limitations in the requested province.
WHEN CAN A CONTRACT TEACHER MOVE TO A PERMANENT POST?
Contract teachers can apply for permanent status after working at their assigned location for at least three years and successfully completing the candidacy period. Applications follow the schedule and procedures set by the Ministry of National Education. Once granted permanent status, contract teachers gain the same rights as permanent teachers.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF CONTRACT TEACHERS?
Contract teachers are appointed to vacant norm positions by signing a service contract with the Ministry of National Education. While they share the same duties and responsibilities as permanent teachers, some rights and obligations differ.
The rights of contract teachers are regulated by Law No. 657, the Regulation on the Employment of Contract Teachers, and the Ministry of National Education’s leave directives.
Contract teachers’ rights include the following:
- They are considered on leave during midterm and summer breaks; aside from illness and other valid excuses, they are not granted additional annual leave.
- They may receive leave for reasons such as birth, marriage, death, military service, health, and education. These leave durations are the same as for permanent teachers. Under the 2024 changes, contract teachers are granted 10 days for spouse’s childbirth, 7 days for marriage and childbirth events, and 3 days for bereavement.
- Female contract teachers are entitled to paid maternity leave totaling 16 weeks: 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth. In cases of multiple pregnancy, an additional 2 weeks are added to the pre-birth period. Unused pre-birth maternity leave may be taken after birth. If the mother dies during or after birth, the contract teacher father may request leave equivalent to the mother’s entitlement.
- For breastfeeding, paid nursing leave is provided: during the first six months after maternity leave ends, 3 hours per day; during the second six months, 1.5 hours per day. The mother may choose the hours of use.
- In the case of adoption, paid leave is granted for durations varying between 8 and 24 weeks depending on the age of the adopted child.
- For necessary medical treatment of themselves, their spouse, or children, contract teachers may take up to three months of unpaid leave if documented by a health board report.
- After working at their assigned location for at least three years, they may request reassignment for reasons such as spouse relocation, health, or disability. Spouse-based transfers are limited so that they do not exceed 10% of norm positions in the spouse’s province.
- To move to permanent status they must have worked at their assigned location for at least three years and successfully complete the candidacy period. Once they transition to permanent posts, they receive all rights afforded to permanent teachers.