Children always tell the truth!

Our education curriculum will change starting from the next academic year. The Ministry of National Education has opened the draft of the “Century of Turkey Education Model” for compulsory courses at all grade levels to public opinion. My first impression of the Century of Turkey Education Model is that it is a well-intentioned effort. However, I cannot help but recall a well-known proverb: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." I realize this is a harsh opening, but some practices so far, such as the appointment of imams to schools under the name of “spiritual counselors,” worry me.

The “Century of Turkey Education Model” draft has been published on the Ministry of National Education's website, and it has been stated that public suggestions will be taken into account until May 3, 2024.

As parents, you can write your thoughts on which topics should be included in the curriculum at which grade level on the Ministry of National Education's feedback and suggestions website.

I wondered what kind of education model our children would be prepared for the millennium age in the 2nd century of the Republic.

I examined the 392-page Preschool Education Program of the “Century of Turkey Education Model.” Early childhood education is very important for a child's mental, emotional, physical, social, and verbal development.

70% of intelligence development in children is completed by the age of 7, and learning skills develop at these ages. Any negativity that may be experienced during this period can also negatively affect the child's entire life.

When a child reaches the age of 3, their brain is 2.5 times more powerful than an adult's! In this age where the child's character is shaped, the child's brain absorbs every behavioral model and every piece of information like a sponge.

The new “Preschool Education Program” is 392 pages. It has been prepared based on the “Virtue-Value-Action Model” in the Century of Turkey Education Model. The ultimate goal of the education program has been determined as raising “Peaceful People in a Livable Environment” along with a “Peaceful Family and Society.” It is emphasized that the acquisition of national and spiritual values should be the main goal and should be integrated with all other skill areas within the program.

The question arises: While preparing the Preschool Education Program, were single-parent families and children of single-parent families formed after divorce taken into account?

Because the “Virtue-Value-Action” model, which is highlighted in the curriculum, always emphasizes family integrity. Among the child's duties within the concept of value are the following sentences: The child knows that mutual respect, love, and trust are necessary for ensuring family unity. They adopt the importance of the family institution and make efforts for its continuity. They avoid behaviors that could harm family ties. They explain the role of family members in protecting family integrity. They protect family privacy. They know the importance of family and population for the future of their country. They attach importance to taking the opinions of all family members in decisions concerning the family. They use humor as a tool to strengthen family ties.

What about children who do not have a family? Does being a good, conscientious, patriotic, honest, and hardworking individual depend on family integrity?

Were the opinions of psychologists and psychiatrists taken while preparing this education program?

THERE IS FINANCIAL LITERACY; THERE IS NO ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY!

Coming to the important skills required by the age; it is stated that preschool children will be provided with training in Information Literacy, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Visual Literacy, Cultural Literacy, Citizenship Literacy, Data Literacy, and Sustainability Literacy. However, Environmental-Climate Literacy, which is related to the climate crisis, the greatest problem of humanity that threatens our world, is not included in the education program.

Yet, the Ministry of National Education announced in 2022 that it had released the “Climate Change Action Plan” and that it would be included in the curriculum at every stage of education. Sensitivity starts from the preschool age. The accelerating effects of the climate crisis increase the vulnerability of disadvantaged children in our country, especially. Children are the most exposed to the physical, social, and economic effects of climate change, especially extreme weather events. The climate crisis should have been integrated into every field of the preschool education program (Science, Social Studies, Health, Movement, Mathematics, Turkish, Music).

One of the important skills required by the age is a foreign language! But I could not see this in the Century of Turkey Education Model Preschool Education Program. Children born into the online world are already learning the foreign language that is not in our education model on the internet! Since I shot Turkey's first documentary about Generation Alpha, I know them closely. They are very different from previous generations. The climate crisis and drought are among the primary vital problems for them. I wish those who prepared this education program had watched our documentary; they would have had the opportunity to get to know Generation Alpha closely.

It is not too late to watch.

Because “Children Always Tell the Truth!”