Ministry of National Education's 'girls' middle school' move: Republic gains under fire

The words of Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, who previously brought up the idea that "we should be able to open girls' schools if necessary," have been put into practice. According to a report by Cumhuriyet, 8 girls' middle schools have been opened so far.

With an official letter dated November 15, 2024, it was decided to establish middle schools exclusively for female students within some vocational and technical Anatolian high schools. The new practice has sparked controversy in a short time.

"CLEARLY CONTRARY TO THE LAW"

Eğitim-İş Union President Kadem Özbay criticized the practice with harsh words. Drawing attention to Article 15 of the Basic Law on National Education, Özbay reminded that the law contains the provision that "female and male students receive co-education in national education institutions."

Özbay stated the following:

"Despite this provision, the opening of girls' middle schools is a clear violation of the law and the fundamental principles of the secular Republic. This step is an ideological intervention aimed at dividing society on the basis of gender and segregating girls from a younger age."

Özbay also added, "Raising women and men in separate schools will deepen inequality not only in education but in every area of social life. The AKP government is targeting the principle of co-education, which forms the foundation of our Republic."

"THE LOGIC OF SECTS"

One of those who reacted to the practice was CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir.

Emir lashed out, saying, "This mentality, which finds it objectionable to have 10-year-old boys study in the same row as girls, is the very logic of religious sects, not the secular Republic."

"ATTACK ON SECULAR EDUCATION"

The TKP Ankara Provincial Organization also issued a written statement regarding the opened girls' middle schools.

The statement said, "The AKP government, which uses every opportunity to make the field of education reactionary, has taken another step with the girls' middle school opened within the Nevzat Ayaz Girls' Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Dikmen, Ankara."

It was emphasized that this school, which is promoted as "Ankara's only girls' middle school," targets co-education, one of the most important gains of the Republic. The following statements were included in the TKP's statement:

"The government, which abandons our children to poverty, a future without prospects, and the mercy of religious orders, is now trying to besiege the right to education with reactionary practices."

News Source: 12punto