New Curriculum Is Suspended

Minister Tekin, in his evaluation of the main axis of curriculum studies, said, “To create an environment where our children can look forward with more confidence, develop themselves better, and develop and realize their dreams with the knowledge they have acquired. Based on this, our first philosophy is to change the philosophy of our education system to enable students to analyze the information they have acquired by gaining skills rather than accessing knowledge and to contribute to the development of these dreams. Therefore, this is the main axis of curriculum studies. In other words, we want our children who are committed to their essence and values, but who can compete with examples in the world, to be able to develop their own dreams. We want children to be able to dream in order to transform the next century into the 'Türkiye Century'. Our curriculum therefore fits into these two axes.” he said.

Minister Tekin stated that they defined the name of the new curriculum as "Turkey Century Education Model" for these reasons and said, "We made an effort to produce a unique model by taking advantage of universal, international models and placing our own values ​​into the system." said.

“CURRICULUM STUDIES ARE THE PRODUCT OF 12 YEARS OF WORK, NOT THE LAST YEAR”

When asked about the curriculum preparation stages, Minister Tekin explained that the starting point of studies on this subject dates back many years and that the 2017 curriculum change was a first step towards this.

“Therefore, there is a very comprehensive work schedule, starting from 2013, that has brought us to the texts we have reached today.” Minister Tekin stated that during this process, very long exchanges of views were made, analyzes were made based on public reflections, and meetings were held. Stating that they received all this accumulation as data in the summer months of last year and that they were working to systematize this data, Tekin gave the following information about the preparations carried out:

“More than 20 workshops were held on how to change the curriculum in this process alone. Afterwards, the teams formed for each course held hundreds of meetings and completed the preparations of the curriculum we will announce. In total, during this period, that is, I do not count the previous part, we have held meetings with more than 1000 teachers and academicians since the summer months. 260 academicians and over 700 of our teacher friends regularly attended these meetings. Apart from this, there are also academics and teachers whose opinions we consulted. When we consider all of these, more than 1000 of our friends worked together. Likewise, all units in the central organization of the Ministry declared a mobilization on this issue.”

Minister Tekin thanked especially the General Directorates of Basic Education, Secondary Education, Vocational Technical Education and Religious Education for their efforts in the studies, and the Presidency of the Board of Education and Discipline for their intense efforts in examining the prepared programs.

Stating that the Ministry of National Education's doors are open to stakeholders or anyone who wants to be a stakeholder, Tekin said, “We want to work together with everyone. “I want to contribute to the education and training processes of this country.” As of this afternoon, we will be sharing a study open to universities, academicians, non-governmental organizations, unions, organizations working in the field of education, politicians, bureaucrats and everyone else. After sharing it, whoever among the people I just mentioned wants it can send it to me.gorusoneri.meb.gov.tr"You can share your opinions and suggestions by entering the address," he said.

IT WILL BE APPLIED GRADUALLY

Minister Tekin stated that the new curriculum will be implemented gradually starting from the next academic year. Minister Tekin stated that they do not want different grievances to arise if the new curriculum, which is a comprehensive revision, is implemented in all education and training levels and all grade levels, and said: “The program we have prepared will be implemented in the first grade of each level. "We will start implementing our new program as of next September in four grade levels: pre-school, primary school first grade, secondary school fifth grade and high school ninth grade." made the statement.

Stating that the Board of Education does not accept textbook applications this year for the classes where gradual transition will take place, Tekin said, “The books for these classes are directly written by the relevant general directorates. So, this is the point where it feels natural for a process we have started since September.” he said.

NINE TYPES OF LITERACY IDENTIFIED

When asked about the common perspective on the curriculum, Minister Tekin stated that they would share the technical details of the curriculum to be suspended at the launch meeting. Minister Tekin, who was asked about the innovations in literacy in the curriculum, explained the subject in the curriculum prepared from a holistic perspective as follows:

“We identified nine types of literacy: information literacy, digital literacy, financial literacy, visual literacy, cultural literacy, civic literacy, data literacy, sustainability literacy and arts literacy. Actually, what we mean here is that our children already have enough resources to access information, but we want to provide our children with the skills to read the information they have acquired correctly. The basic philosophy of the event is here anyway… "