Noting that after the great disaster, the state is trying to ensure a rapid recovery in cooperation with the citizens by using all its resources, Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer said that the Ministry makes efforts to bring all children to their schools in a safe and healthy way.

 

Reminding that education was suspended all over Türkiye until February 20, Özer underlined that although there was no problem related to earthquakes in 71 provinces, they took this decision because all teachers and the national education community are mobilizing to heal the wounds in 10 provinces.

 

Stating that as the Ministry, hot meals were distributed to 945 thousand 215 people and soup for 196 thousand 100 people daily in the region, and a total of 1 million 141 thousand 315 people were delivered hot food, Özer noted that 1 million breads were produced daily in the bread production workshops established in vocational high schools and delivered to earthquake victims.

 

Expressing that they provide shelter to approximately 450 thousand citizens in schools, hostels, dormitories and teacher's houses affiliated to the Ministry of National Education, Minister Özer emphasized that the search and rescue team of approximately 5 thousand people under the ministry also supports AFAD in all provinces and supports search and rescue efforts. Stating that a thousand teachers are actively working in the field to provide psychological support to citizens in ten provinces, Özer stated that tens of thousands of volunteer teachers from other provinces are also actively working in the field in the tents, gathering places and sorting of incoming materials. Emphasizing that he is mobilizing to heal his wounds, Minister Özer underlined that education was suspended in 81 provinces in order not to experience any disruption in logistics support, and stated that they are working in 71 provinces in a coordinated manner and that they will begin to withdraw from the field as other units become active.

 

Reminding that compulsory attendance will not be required in 10 provinces in the second term, Özer announced that the Ministry can transfer the children of the families in the earthquake zone to different provinces upon families' request.

 

Özer said the High School Transition System (LGS) exam will include only the first semester subjects of the 8th grade. Minister Özer stated that Higher Education Institutions Exams (YKS) will include only the first semester subjects of the 12th grade. The subjects of the second semester of the 12th grade will not be included in the exam. Minister Özer stressed that the Ministry is doing its best to reunite children with schools as fast as possible.