Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin met with teachers from many different provinces in the program organized in the Ministry as part of the "Teachers' Room Meetings".
Stating that they wanted to come together with the teachers in a warm atmosphere, Minister Tekin became emotional when he saw the teachers coming from different provinces. Tekin said that he would like to talk less and listen to the teachers more since they invite teachers there to listen.
Stating that teachers are their greatest strength in decision-making processes, Minister Tekin emphasized that they attach great importance to meeting with teachers within the scope of Teachers' Room Meetings. Expressing that they want to share what and why they want to do for the teachers they work with, Minister Tekin emphasized that they can do everything they aim to do as long as they act together since they can only fulfil the decision they have determined from the center together with their friends working in the field. Expressing that they want to listen to the thoughts, suggestions, demands and expectations of the teachers on the subjects they need and want to learn about them since the Ministry is unable to see, Minister Tekin stated that the teachers bear the burden of the Ministry in the field, in the countryside and in schools. Saying that they want to learn about the problems teachers experience in the field and the subjects they want to convey, Minister Tekin stressed that most importantly, they want to involve teachers in the decision making process.
Making a statement regarding the family union and compassionate appointment requests of contracted teachers, Minister Tekin reminded that millions of students in obligatory service regions face great difficulties due to the teacher changes in very short periods of time. Stating that this situation causes inequality of opportunity in education, Minister Tekin stated that they want students living in obligatory service regions to complete their works for a certain period of time in a way to skip a level in order to benefit from equality of opportunities and not be victimized.
Emphasizing that students living in obligatory service areas will continue to protect their rights as part of the equality of opportunity and justice in education, Tekin noted that they take into account the demands and expectations of the teachers in this regard without making the students suffer. Underlining that they will give all kinds of support to the teachers, Tekin stated that they will continue to protect the law of both teachers, students and parents.
Making an evaluation on the questions regarding the Teaching Profession Law, Minister Yusuf Tekin reminded that there is an annulment case filed in the Constitutional Court regarding the Law. Minister Tekin said that it would not be right to make an assessment on this subject without seeing the court decision.
Stressing that teachers are the essential element of education, Minister Tekin said that they will build the Century of Türkiye with teachers. Emphasizing that the steps to be taken regarding teachers should be taken into consideration, such as higher education institutions, education process, student recruitment, educational programs, graduations, practices, Minister Tekin stated that they are working to create a physical infrastructure in this process. Stating that he made a presentation to Mr. President about what they will do to train teachers, Minister Tekin said that they will share the details after they are clarified. Minister Tekin stated that they plan to make arrangements in accordance with the needs of the era.
Tekin emphasized that teachers and the education community should not rely on any news or comments other than the official statements of the Ministry of National Education.
Answering a question about distance education, Minister Tekin said that the teacher is the main element of education. Stating that a teacher will be a mother, a brother and sister to a student in case of need, Minister Tekin stated that he is against distance education unless it is really necessary in the age of compulsory education.
Calling on the teachers to support the activities to be carried out for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, Minister Tekin said that they want to carry out a very serious event process on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. Stating that they want to perform this in a festival atmosphere, Tekin said that they look forward to the contribution of teachers.