Eğitim-İş President Kadem Özbay reacts to Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin's 'curriculum' defense citing Özal and Erbakan: 'He explained his reference points a bit incompletely...'

Ayhan TAŞPINARLIOĞLU - 12punto.com.tr

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin continues to make headlines with his statements that have sparked public reaction.

Tekin, in his latest statement, used the expressions: "Unfortunately, it has faced very superficial and very ideological criticisms. We must continue on our path without giving too much credit to such criticisms so that the dreams of Turgut Özal in 1987, the dreams of Erbakan Hoca in the 1970s, and the dreams of Nuri Demirağ in the 1930s and 1940s can be realized."

Following these remarks by Tekin, Eğitim-İş President Kadem Özbay made statements to 12punto.com.tr.

Özbay said the following:

''THE SOURCE OF REFERENCE IS ALSO THE HISTORICAL THESES OF THE 'TASSELED' HISTORIAN...''

''Actually, he has expressed that he is the one imposing an ideology through his reference points, but he explained his reference points a bit incompletely. The source of reference is also the historical theses of the so-called 'tasseled' historian, and the books published by the person called Adnan Oktar under the name Harun Yahya.

He did not or could not state the real roots; anti-science, archaic, anti-Republicanism that has nothing to do with educational science...

What do we say about the curriculum? We say it is the constitution of education and must be inclusive of all segments of society.

When we look at the examples he listed, he says he takes references from people who represent a certain ideology in Turkey. He has confessed to abusing his authority.

His own field of study is 19th-century Ottoman Modernity. The process related to Abdulhamid and that era, whom he is very fond of, is the era of despotism. We are living through that era of despotism today as well.

But we say that; from those despotisms, Mustafa Kemals emerged and became Atatürk.

No matter what they do, many young people who have understood Atatürk and the Republic will emerge from this despotism as well.

They will not be able to realize their project of raising an archaic generation. This must be underlined.

Also, the primary reference source for a Minister of National Education of the Republic should be Atatürk and the revolutions of the Republic.

What did we say? There is no Atatürk, no Republic, no citizenship, no science in this curriculum... Therefore, it cannot be the education model of the Republic of Turkey; it is fake.

There is a political imposition here. He has made his confession. He left it a bit incomplete. We are revealing those missing parts.

The Republic is 100 years ahead. They are 100 years behind, let's even say at least 100 years. It is the manifestation of a mentality that could remain even behind the Middle Ages by opening evolution to debate.''

Özbay also spoke about the rallies and marches held by education unions following the brutal murder of School Principal İbrahim Oktugan.

Özbay stated the following:

''It was perhaps the rally and march with the highest participation in trade union history in Turkey in recent years.

It was a very historic action attended by all teachers, educators, and sensitive citizens who value education and training.

Across Turkey, the squares raised their voices against the destruction created in education, the discrediting of the teaching profession, and insecure school environments.

The sensitivity of some parties remained in rhetoric.

They say 'we will make legal regulations' after someone dies. The mentality of 'we do it best' continues.

We invited political parties to see education as the most important issue of this country.

The Republican People's Party responded to this invitation. For the first time in Turkish history, an education rally was organized. More political parties and unions should have participated in this rally.

We must see that this is a process that should not stop here in the coming period.

Turkish education is dying. It is not in a state to be treated with a bandage. There is a religious occupation. The Imam Hatip schools opened, the so-called schools of sects and communities, mandatory religion class impositions... These are not enough, they are now trying to turn all courses, along with their content, into a kind of madrasa-type education model.

An archaic education model is being imposed. No child or young person can be raised here in accordance with the requirements of the age.

I find what the Republican People's Party has done in the recent period very valuable. They have promises that they will continue this from now on. We have not heard at least one action or concrete statement from other political parties so far.

The most important indicator of whether a political party thinks about the future of this country is measured by the value they place on education, its educators, and the children's right to education.

And this value is not at a very sufficient level.''