Can private school teachers also participate in the "Teacher of the Year" competition?

Question

I work at a private school. Can I also participate in the "Teacher of the Year" competition? For example, we are allowed to participate in the certification as teachers of public schools. Is it allowed to participate in this "Teacher of the Year"?

Response

Resolution No. 264 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated April 28, 2025, established that the "Teacher of the Year" competition will be held every two years, starting from 2026.

This resolution approved the regulation on the procedure for conducting the "Teacher of the Year" competition. According to Clause 2 of the Regulation, at the time of submitting an application for participation in the competition, candidates must have a higher or first qualification category and at least five years of pedagogical work experience, and have been working in the main staff of educational organizations since the beginning of the academic year for which the competition is held.

However, it is determined that the competition will be held only among pedagogical workers working in general secondary education organizations of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education system.

Therefore, teachers working in non-state educational institutions cannot participate in the "Teacher of the Year" competition.

A private school teacher can participate in the certification

The Regulation, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 572 of September 17, 2021, also regulates the certification and assignment of qualification categories to teaching staff of non-state educational organizations.

In this case, pedagogical staff of non-state preschool, general secondary, secondary specialized, vocational, and extracurricular educational organizations may, at their discretion, undergo extraordinary certification in accordance with the requirements of this Regulation.