Evaluation of teachers' views relating to the problems encountered in the employment of contracted teachers

This research aims to evaluate the problems encountered in the employment of contracted teachers based on teachers' opinions. Neoliberal policies implemented in Turkey since the 1980s have profoundly affected education as well as all areas of economic and social life. The most significant of these effects is the changing employment patterns of the teaching profession and the increasing insecurity within the teaching profession. It is seen that teachers are employed in various ways like permanent, contracted and paid and contracted teachers is one of the main issues in the education system. The contracted teaching practice, implemented between 2005 and 2011, was reintroduced with the "Decree Law No. 668 "and teachers started to be employed as contracted in 2016. This study, aims to investigate the effects of contracted teacher practice in the National Education System by considering teachers' opinions. This research focuses on different forms of employment, examines the discriminatory practises and problems faced by contracted teachers. In this research, the case study technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. Semi- structured interview was conducted with 30 teachers from various cities in Turkey representing different fields and school levels. Descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the data. Research findings indicate significant differences between contracted and permanent teachers in terms of personal rights, with contracted teachers being at a disadvantage. It has been concluded that the loss of rights experienced by contracted teachers and the discriminatory practices are the reasons of the negative impact on teacher's motivation. It is advisable for the Ministry to hire all teachers permanently and create supportive policies and environments, rather than relying on coercive measures, to encourage teachers to work in conscription regions, aligning with practices in other professions.