Mahmut Özer recalled his statement as his priority to prepare schools for face-to-face education again when he was named as the Minister of National Education on August 6 and the Ministry carried out projects and policies for 180 days to return face-to-face education.

 

Minister Özer stated that the Ministry implemented monitoring and assessment studies in order to shape future education policies and maintain sustainable equality of education system adding that:

 

"120 page book concerning more than 50 education projects and policies during the transition to face-to-face education is published. The book also includes dissemination of preschool education, improvement of lifelong learning activities and professional improvement programs for teachers."

  

Özer stressed that the Ministry took steps especially in the line of decisions made during 20th National Education Council.

 

"We have fulfilled the pledges which we mentioned during the council. I consider this as a part of our transparent policy," said Özer.

 

He recalled that full time face-to-face education for five days a week began in the entire country on September 6 and the first term of the school year was completed with success.

 

Noting that the rate of teachers who are either immune or got two doses of vaccination reached 95 percent, Özer stated that the Ministry spent 722 million liras for the hygiene of schools.

 

Highlights from 120 page book  

The book mentioned that the Ministry took various measures according to pandemic conditions for open face-to-face education on September 6. The Ministry distributed masks and disinfectants to students and teachers.  

 

As a part of cooperation with the Ministry of Health, an electronic tracking system was established in an effort to monitor positive corona cases.

 

The Ministry conducted knowledge assessment studies based on a total of 4 million 565 thousand and 916 students from 7th, 8th, 11th and 12th grades.

 

The study was used for the compensation of learning loss that occurred due to pandemic.  

 

As a part of "10 Thousand Schools in Basic Education Project", the Ministry defined infrastructure shortcomings of schools and made required improvements.

 

Within the framework of providing equal opportunity in education, the Ministry initiated the "No More Schools Without Libraries Project" and built 16,361 new libraries in 81 cities of the country within two months.

  

Vocational education institutions made contributions to the economy by producing cleaning and hygiene supplies needed during the pandemic and exporting some of its products.

 

The Ministry continued to cooperate with the private sector for the reinforcement of vocational education and the first media high school and mining highschool of the country were opened.

  

Amendment in the Vocational Education Law No. 3308 allowed the Ministry to pay salaries for vocational education centers and insured them against occupational illnesses and accidents.

 

The Ministry established the Teacher Information Network (ÖBA) on January 24, 2022 which includes professional improvement training programs for teachers.

 

Distance training programs about different subjects were organized for teachers during the midterm holiday.

 

The newly adopted law defines teaching as a specialized profession concerning education and training and related management duties. The law regulates that teachers will be obliged to fulfill their teaching duties according to the goals and basic principles of Turkish national education and in line with professional ethics.

  

Students enrolled in special education vocational schools finally received the right to enter the Higher Education Institute Examination.

 

For the first time, physiotherapists are appointed to Guidance Research Centers (RAMs).

 

The Ministry initiated a project in an effort to reinforce the production capacity of advanced technical schools for girls and turned these schools into R&D centers.

 

"Clean School Clean Energy" project initiated in January 2022, aims at increasing environmental sensitivity among students and establishing nature friendly schools.

 

Meanwhile, the Zero Waste Project focuses on recycling and environmental awareness.

 

The National Education Council, the most important advisory board of the education system, was held for the twentieth time after 7 years on December 1 and 3, 2021.

 

The main theme of the council was equal opportunity in education. As a result of voting, the Council made 128 article advisory decisions.

 

Click to see the book.