Universities across Turkey are facing major disruptions today as professors refuse to hold classes in a nationwide protest against increasing government control over higher education, explains SPOT Turkey

The one-day strike, organized by Eğitim Sen, comes in response to what critics describe as politically motivated rector appointments, centralized oversight on diplomas, and restrictive policies that undermine academic freedom.

The protest follows a series of student-led demonstrations in recent weeks, with students arguing that “a university cannot exist without students, and classes cannot be held without them.” Now, academics are joining their fight, leaving classrooms empty in an unprecedented show of solidarity against policies that they say are eroding university autonomy.

A Growing Resistance in Turkish Higher Education

For years, Turkey’s academic institutions have faced increasing government intervention, sparking concern among educators, researchers, and students. Critics argue that policies such as:

• The direct appointment of university rectors by the president

• Strict state control over diploma validity and academic standards

• Restrictions on faculty independence and student activism

are turning universities into politically controlled institutions rather than spaces for free thought and scientific inquiry.

Universities should be independent of political influence,” said a lecturer participating in the strike. “But what we’re witnessing is the systematic erosion of academic freedom and autonomy.”

Students have been at the forefront of this struggle, organizing protests, sit-ins, and boycotts. Many see today’s faculty strike as a crucial turning point in their fight for a more democratic and independent education system in Turkey.

What’s Happening on Campuses Today?

• Professors and lecturers are refusing to teach classes, leaving classrooms empty.

• Students are organizing demonstrations and public discussions to highlight their concerns.

• The call for nationwide education reform is gaining momentum, with activists pushing for greater university autonomy.

What’s Next for Academic Freedom in Turkey?

Although today’s strike is only a one-day action, it signals growing resistance against government-imposed controls on higher education. Faculty unions and student organizations have suggested that if demands for academic freedom and institutional independence are not met, further action could follow.

As Turkey’s universities continue to push back against state interference, one question remains: Will the government address their concerns, or will this struggle for academic independence escalate even further?

Reposted from SPOT Turkey: https://spotturkey.co.uk/professors-and-students-boycott-classes-across-turkey-in-protest-against-government-crackdown-on-universities/