If you were the Minister of National Education, what would you change?

Two years before the curriculum change came onto the agenda, I filmed a documentary with children.

"If you were the Minister of National Education of this country, what would you change?" I asked.

The answers I received from the children revealed all the problems of our education system in a striking way.

Menaf (11); I think the worst thing about education is that we always see and process lessons in the same way. I love history, but I won't be able to study history until the 8th grade. This makes me sad, but I still have to get used to it. For example, if I had the power, I would ask the student coming to school, "Which subjects do you like more?" I would ensure they take the subjects they choose. I would have them study the subjects they like more. I would give the student the right to choose.

Ada (12); Our exam system is a test-based system. Instead of understanding the subject and measuring knowledge, it measures whether you have memorized the subject or not. Even if you are knowledgeable, if you haven't memorized that subject, the result is failure.

Neva (8); I want a little enthusiasm from my teacher, I want excitement, but my teacher doesn't have these!

Generation Alpha is a generation that knows what it wants. They were born into technology. They have an online life. They like to question. Instead of rote memorization, which is an outdated practice, they want to learn by digesting information and enjoying it. In light of all these observations, I think it would be more appropriate for the new curriculum to be created by including all components of education in the process, by delving into the qualities and details required by the century, and to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated. Even just what my three protagonists said reveals the state of our current education system. The findings of the other children are available in the entire documentary. You can watch our film "Children Always Tell the Truth" on YouTube. I wish our new Minister of National Education had watched it too.

WHY THIS RUSH?

The curriculum is the constitution of education. It covers all components of education.

Students, teachers, the personal rights and welfare of teachers, and the happiness of children are the elements that the curriculum must take into account.

Before embarking on a wholesale change in the constitution of education, why was a curriculum change needed? What were the problems in education, what were the deficiencies? First of all, an analysis of the past should have been shared with the public in a comprehensive manner.

Does attempting to change the curriculum in its entirety not require taking into account the components of education that form the essence of the curriculum?

Why were teachers, education unions, universities, and even students not included in this process?

It does not seem very possible that the draft curriculum, which is presented as a long-term preparation of 10 years, was prepared in 10 years. Because the curriculum last changed in 2017!

In the last 10 years, 5 Ministers of National Education have changed in the government.

Nabi Avcı (2013-16), İsmet Yılmaz (2016-2018), Ziya Selçuk (2018-2021), Mahmut Özer (2021-2023), Yusuf Tekin (2023-2024)!

Why was only a 10-day contribution period given for the draft curriculum?

It is said that the draft can be read and evaluated in a week, and opinions and suggestions can be shared via e-Devlet with a Turkish ID number and password. Both the way the Ministry of National Education asks for opinions on the draft curriculum and the duration are quite problematic.

The 3500-page curriculum that is claimed to have been worked on for 10 years

It took me a week to read a part of the draft curriculum. You would need superhuman strength to read and evaluate 3500 pages in 10 days and write a comprehensive report on it!

Then the following question comes to mind: Why this rush?

And I also have a question for the opposition;

Is the kind of education that young people who will take ownership of the country's future will receive not as vital an issue as the rights of retirees? Why is the opposition party not taking all the components of education with it and launching a thunderous campaign about the danger of the new curriculum?