The suffering of disabled teachers awaiting appointment continues. Disabled teachers, who were left vacant due to insufficient appointments despite their high scores in the Disabled Public Personnel Examination (EKPSS), are waiting for a new appointment before the end of February. Disabled teachers, who stated that their points will be wasted with the new EKPSS to be held in April, spoke to the Milli Gazete. Describing the difficulties they experienced, teachers with disabilities stated that their efforts were wasted despite the high scores they received in EKPSS.
“MY DISABILITY ADVANCED AS I WORKED”
T.S. who could not be appointed despite getting 82 points from EKPSS held in 2020, said, “I am a teacher who could not be appointed even though I got enough points. As an 80 percent visually impaired individual, I got this score by studying for hours. In this process, my disability progressed as I studied. That's why I don't want to prepare for the exam again. In my dream, I see that I am working in a school where I am constantly assigned, and when I wake up in the morning, I am very happy. Our one wish from state elders make disabled individuals to truly experience this happiness.”
“DESPITE OUR OBSTACLES, WE READ AND FIGHTED”
Disabled teacher G.Y. who has been waiting for assignment for 3 years. He said, “I took the 2020 EKPSS exam, but I was victimized because there was no quota for my branch in both assignments. Like me, my friends with high scores are also waiting for assignment. Despite our obstacles, we studied and struggled and all we want is to meet our students. We are fighting for it. We do not want to lose another year with our high scores. Never before have teachers with disabilities been so victimized. I hope this grievance will be resolved as soon as possible."
“WE WANT OUR LEGAL RIGHTS”
Songül Özen, on the other hand, stating that she wanted the rights of teachers with disabilities, “We are approximately 2000 disabled teachers awaiting assignment. In the past 2 years, the appointment of teachers with disabilities has not been at the desired level. Many disabled teachers who could not be appointed despite their high scores were thrown into the background for the first time in these 2 years. We want our legal right before the EKPSS to be held in April. Disabled teachers should be appointed again in February. Otherwise, our high scores will be in vain. As teachers with disabilities, I demand a new appointment before EKPSS," she said.
“WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE EXAM AGAIN”
Metin Korkmaz also drew attention to the problems experienced by disabled teachers and said, "I got 78,70 from EKPSS and I have been waiting for an appointment for two years. The 2020 EKPSS was postponed several times due to the earthquake and pandemic, and due to the fact that the exam is held every two years, two appointments were made instead of four. This situation caused 2000 disabled teachers with high scores to not be appointed. As the remaining 2000 disabled teachers, we demand the good news of a new appointment to be given in February. During the pandemic, we do not want to re-take the EKPSS exam, which will be held on April 24, with high scores. We overcame all obstacles. The only obstacle we cannot overcome is the quota.”