Assessment of Criminal Charges Brought Against Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the charges brought against teachers in criminal courts in Turkey. A qualitative research method was used in the study. The study used the document analysis method because it involved the study of legal documents. In order to determine what cases against teachers were brought to trial between 2004 and 2018, charges filed against teachers were obtained via www.kazanci.com and www.LegalBank.com. databases. The themes in the study were determined in accordance with the Turkish Criminal Law as crimes against the person, crimes against the nation and the state, and crimes against society. The study was initiated as a result of the fact that cases of violence in schools have increased rapidly in recent years. One factor in this is offenses committed by teachers, and this situation will cause grave social problems in the future if no measures are taken. It was found that most charges brought against teachers in the criminal courts were cases related to crimes against the person. This was followed by crimes against the nation and state and crimes against society. The curriculum of Faculties of Education should include courses such as human rights, education law, anger control and conflict management to raise teachers’ awareness of these issues.