Let’s see the education plans of political parties

If Education Minister Nabi Avcı reads this, he can regard it as an “open letter.” But I don’t think he will ever have time to read my piece with all the projects and plans that he needs to review.

Recently, a ruling criticizing compulsory religion classes at Turkish schools was made by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). What kind of problems did this ruling cause for Minister Avcı, do you think?

The ECHR ruling will be managed in some way until next year’s parliamentary elections, because no political party would dare to take steps that are in compliance with it. In this situation, the approaching elections are a good excuse…

Still, on the path to the “New Turkey,” there is a need for new education and training projects to be included in party programs.

Truly, the “New Turkey” program should also cover education, a field that contains more than a quarter of the population of the country: 17 million students, nearly 1 million teachers and academics, and 4 million associates.

It is obvious that our education system is full of problems with its textbooks, the language and content of which are controversial, with ever-changing school definitions and examination regulations, with standards, productivity, schools, universities and teachers…

Is there any school, dormitory or book that teachers, students and staff do not complain about?
The answer, “No, there is not,” defines our problem.

The education problem is one that we know well but we cannot define, one that we constantly work on but without knowing what to do.

The education problem is one that we are trying to manage without understanding, with laws and regulations that we know will not work even while we prepare them.

Our people, political parties and the education minister now have an opportunity.

If the ruling and opposition parties build an education plan in the coming five months and include it in their party programs to be issued next April, then the subsequent election debates will have a meaning.

The accuracy of these plans depends on the accuracy of the information on which they are based. The ministry can and should provide the correct data.

The ministry should publish the information and statistics in various formats and scales, accessible to everybody. A special webpage could be formed, along with a call center or similar bureaus where information can be provided, books could be published, debate and information platforms could be set up and operated by the end of March…

Education plans prepared jointly by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition parties will force people to join the debate with accurate information. This approach will lessen the populist discourse of parties.

Therefore, this issue, which affects more than 20 million citizens, in which almost one member of each family is directly involved, which concerns the future of the people, will start to become better understood. A solution process appealing to the mind instead of the emotions will begin.

The ECHR has ruled for us to change our education system. We have a new election coming; we have been constantly discussing education for years; the ruling party prepares for elections with the “New Turkey” discourse; the opposition parties will aim to increase their votes, if not beat the government.

The education plan is necessary for all of them. It can be done; it is realistic and compulsory!
A plan that is not filled with impromptu fluff but based on solid facts, on a sound method, with a sound team, participation and content!