New regulation from the Ministry of National Education: 'Passing grade is 70 for Turkish, 50 for other subjects'

The Regulation on Amending the Ministry of National Education Regulation on Preschool Education and Primary Education Institutions has been published in today's issue of the Official Gazette.

DECISION FOR KINDERGARTENS

According to the regulation, while kindergartens could previously be opened in secondary schools, high schools, BİLSEM, and similar educational institutions, it will now be ensured that kindergartens are opened only within primary schools so that preschool children can receive education together with primary school students who are closest to them in terms of age and development.

It has been ensured that the situations of teachers with disabilities, teachers who have a disabled relative they are responsible for caring for, and teachers with children under 36 months of age are taken into account when preparing weekly course schedules.

RECESS DECISION

To ensure students can have their meals comfortably, it has been ensured that one of the recesses in schools will be at least 20 minutes long. Starting from the 2024-2025 academic year, these processes will be carried out automatically via the e-School system to ensure a balanced distribution of students among branches.

Before the regulation, convenience regarding transfers was provided only to children whose parents both worked; with the change, convenience in transfers has also been introduced for orphans and children with severely disabled family members.

SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM

With the regulation, the situation of a student who does not come to school, or who attends one class but does not attend one or more classes without an excuse, will be reported to their parent. Notifications will be made on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days of absenteeism.

For those with illnesses requiring continuous treatment or organ transplants, students with special education needs who continue their education through full-time mainstreaming/inclusion, and students taken under protection and care in line with official reports from social services, police, and public security units, notification will also be provided on the 30th day of absenteeism.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS FOR ACCESS TO EDUCATION

In order to ensure the student's access to education in their best interest, responsibility has been placed on seasonal agricultural workers and nomadic/semi-nomadic families to notify the schools where their children are registered of the places they will go to work, to register their children in schools at their destination, and to ensure their children's attendance at school.

PASSING GRADE RAISED TO 70 FOR TURKISH AND 50 FOR OTHER SUBJECTS

The passing grade, which was previously 45, has been raised to 70 for the Turkish language course and 50 for other subjects. Whether students who score below these grades pass or fail will be decided by the branch teachers' board.

The criteria for receiving awards in secondary schools and imam-hatip secondary schools have been updated by taking into account the average of 70 points for the Turkish language course and 50 points for other subjects.

Since the Ministry of National Education Assessment and Evaluation Regulation, prepared by creating a new approach to measurement and evaluation, has entered into force, the necessary arrangements have been made so that exams can be conducted in accordance with this regulation.

MEASURES REGARDING THE USE OF INFORMATION TOOLS

To prevent technology addiction and the misuse of information tools, measures will be taken by school principals regarding the possession and use of mobile phones, cameras, and information tools with image and sound recording features in schools and their annexes.

Sanctions may be applied for behaviors contrary to these measures.

RIGHT OF TEACHERS WHO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH NOT TO BE ON DUTY EXTENDED TO 2 YEARS

The right of teachers who have given birth not to be on duty, which was 1 year, has been extended to 2 years in order to ensure that the mother and child can stay together for longer.

WRITTEN CONSENT REQUIREMENT FROM STUDENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

In order to protect the personal data of students within the framework of Law No. 6698, the unauthorized sharing of their photos, images, and sounds on social media has been prohibited, and a requirement has been introduced to obtain written consent from the parent and, under the supervision of the guidance counselor, from the student.

It will be ensured that contributions can be collected in preschool education institutions to support the basic needs, self-care processes, and the implementation of the education program for children.

"DAILY CLASS REPRESENTATIVE" PRACTICE FOR STUDENTS

To help students develop a sense of responsibility and take an active role in school, a "daily class representative" practice has been introduced.

Considering the safety and education hours of students on duty in boarding regional secondary schools, the dormitory duty held by students has been abolished.

A provision has been introduced that no medication other than first aid supplies should be kept in the first aid cabinet in schools and that the first aid cabinet should be used by authorized personnel when needed.

NO CONTRIBUTIONS IN EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED PROVINCES

To monitor students with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, celiac disease, and similar conditions, it will be ensured that they can easily access their mobile phones in educational institutions.

In order to carry out educational activities in a safe and high-quality environment in preschool education institutions, activity/play rooms, playgrounds, and gardens will be enriched with tools that can meet the developmental needs of children.

According to the regulation, it was also decided that no contributions will be collected in the 2023-2024 academic year in preschool education institutions located in the 11 provinces affected by the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes that occurred on February 6.