Education system overhauled: School starting age to change, 12-year compulsory education to be shortened
The Ministry of National Education is preparing to completely renew the system from high school duration to primary school age within the scope of the Century of Turkey Education Model. New items on the agenda include extra points for social projects in the LGS exam, flexibility in high school education, and a new primary school model to reduce age gaps.
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It has been claimed that the Ministry of National Education (MEB) is preparing to make comprehensive changes to the education system. According to the allegations, the duration of high school education will be shortened and the course load will be reduced. In addition, students' social projects and activities will be included in the scoring for the High School Entrance Exam (LGS). A new standard will also be introduced for the age of starting primary school.
"FLEXIBLE MODEL" COMING TO HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
According to a report by the pro-government Sabah newspaper; the MEB is preparing to take new steps in line with the skill-based curriculum within the scope of the Century of Turkey Education Model (TYMM). Three critical topics will be on the agenda in the 2025-2026 academic year. The first of these is the restructuring of compulsory high school education.
Work is underway to make the 4-year compulsory high school education in the current system flexible. Accordingly, the first 2 or 3 years will be compulsory, while the final years will be organized as an optional "university preparation year." In this way, students will be able to shape their education according to their interests and goals.
EXTRA POINTS FOR SOCIAL PROJECTS IN LGS
According to the information provided by the newspaper, the second important agenda item is a change in the LGS scoring system. In the new system, in addition to exam scores, students' achievements in social responsibility projects, sports, arts, and cultural activities will also be evaluated. Thus, a multi-faceted development is aimed for, not just academic.
PRIMARY SCHOOL STARTING AGE TO BE REORGANIZED
The third topic is the age of starting primary school. Currently, it is compulsory for children who have completed 72 months to start school. However, 66-month-old children can also be enrolled in school at the request of their parents. Similarly, enrollment can be postponed up to 84 months at the request of the parent. This situation causes an age difference of up to 18 months among first-grade students.
Educators state that this difference both makes the children's adaptation process difficult and puts teachers in a difficult position. Experts draw attention to the current situation by saying, "In other words, we are trying to provide the same education to a newborn baby and a 1.5-year-old child." A model with a smaller age gap is expected to be prepared in the new regulation.
PRESENTATION GOING TO THE CABINET
The proposals for the new model are planned to be presented at the next Cabinet meeting. Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin said the following in a statement he made in recent weeks:
"If a decision is made on this matter in a political sense, we have different alternatives. We are planning to make a presentation about this at the first Cabinet meeting with a very high probability. A decision will be made within this year; because this means that the education calendar for next year will be designed accordingly, but this also has a parliamentary dimension. Ultimately, our preparation will need to be legislated."