Turkey to hire 20,000 teachers following coup attempt

A Turkish flag flies near the Bosporus strait prior to the Bosporus Cross-Continental Swimming Race in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, July 24, 2016. More than 2,000 athletes are competing in the 6.5-kilometer challenging race. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (The Associated Press)

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In this Friday, July 22, 2016 photo, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, pinches a child's cheeks, following Friday prayers at a mosque, in Ankara, Turkey. Turkish lawmakers approved a three-month state of emergency that allows the government to extend detention times and issue decrees without parliamentary approval.(Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

In this Friday, July 22, 2016 photo, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 2nd left, inspects the damage from the fighting during the July 15 attempted coup at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey. Turkish lawmakers approved a three-month state of emergency that allows the government to extend detention times and issue decrees without parliamentary approval. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

ISTANBUL – Turkey says it plans to hire more than 20,000 teachers to replace those who have been fired in a purge of suspected coup plotters in schools and other institutions.

Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz said late Saturday that the new teachers will replace state educators who have been dismissed as well as teachers in private schools with alleged links to Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric accused by Turkey of directing a July 15 coup attempt. Gulen has denied any prior knowledge of the failed insurrection.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says 15 universities, 934 other schools and 109 student dormitories with alleged links to Gulen have been closed.

Turkey declared a three-month state of emergency to restore security following the coup attempt, which was foiled by loyalist security forces and pro-government protesters.