Educators react to HÜDA PAR's co-education proposal: 'The best interests of the child must be the priority'

A legislative proposal submitted by HÜDA PAR deputies regarding co-education has sparked a new debate in the field of education. The proposal seeks to amend Article 15 of the Basic Law on National Education No. 1739 to allow for certain classes in schools to be reserved exclusively for female or male students.

The proposal, which bears the signatures of HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu and deputies Serkan Ramanlı, Faruk Dinç, and Şahzade Demir, has been referred by the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to the Committee on National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports.

According to the report by Ufuk Sepetci from Cumhuriyet, the justification for the proposal recalls that co-education in Turkey began in primary schools in 1924 and in secondary education in 1927. The justification argues that co-education was introduced into the education system due to political and ideological influences; it is claimed that the practice eventually turned into an "imposition of an ideological state understanding that aims to raise a uniform type of individual."

The justification for the article of the regulation states that allowing for non-co-educational schooling by separating some classes for female or male students aims to "strengthen the right to education and learning." The justification further states that this is intended to meet "social demands and needs."

REACTION FROM EDUCATORS

Serkan Bebek, General Education Secretary of the All Teachers' Union (TÖBSEN), reacted sharply to the proposal. Stating that the regulation cannot be seen merely as a technical legal amendment, Bebek described it as an "ideological intervention" against the Republic's educational heritage, secular education, and children's right to education.

Emphasizing that co-education is not just about female and male students being in the same classroom, Bebek characterized the practice as one of the guarantees of equal citizenship, democratic culture, and gender equality in the field of education. Saying, "Do not touch co-education and the right to compulsory education," Bebek stated that education policies should be determined based on the best interests of children.

Bebek argued that interventions targeting co-education aim at children's right to equal education and the common values of social life. Noting that questioning compulsory education carries risks, especially for the children of poor and working-class families, Bebek noted that children dropping out of school could increase the danger of being pushed into early working life and abuse.

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin had also previously stated in a remark that separate schools for female and male students could be on the agenda, citing families who do not want to send their daughters to co-educational schools. With HÜDA PAR's latest proposal, the debate on co-education has now been moved to the parliamentary committee process.