Big interest in new teacher exams

More than 17,000 people have expressed interest in taking exams for the new teacher appointment system, the education ministry said on Wednesday.

The deadline for expressions of interest expired at the end of June.

Although 17,417 people say they are interested in doing the exams, the ministry said, the final number of those who will sit them is expected to be much smaller, as, for some specialties where less than six job posts will be available, there will be no exams.

According to education ministry figures, around 2,000 jobs are estimated to be available over the next two school years.

Those who expressed interest in taking the exams will have to file electronically between July 18 and 31 for each of the subjects they want to be tested in. Each candidate will be tested in subjects corresponding to their teaching areas and the exams will place between September and October.

According to the education ministry, 920 people are expected to be appointed the next two school years in primary education, of which 451 posts are for teachers. The rest are for kindergarten teachers, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and special education teachers.

Another 1,084 teachers are expected to be hired in the secondary education system and 47 in technical schools.

Under a law passed last year, from September 2018 until August 31, 2027, 50 per cent of appointments will be made from waiting lists and 50 per cent according to the new system. From September 2027, all appointments will be made based on merit.

The new system will take into consideration each candidate’s exam results, their university degree grade, additional academic qualifications and teaching experience.

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