Statement from Yusuf Tekin on the mid-term break: Is a change on the agenda?

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin answered questions regarding the education agenda during a live broadcast on a television channel. Expectations regarding the mid-term break practice and the Ministry of National Education's approach dominated the program.

Reminding that they had evaluated the possibility of abolishing mid-term breaks in previous periods, Tekin stated that there is no question of completely removing the breaks under the current circumstances. He emphasized that according to legal regulations, students must receive 180 working days of education under any circumstances.

"We are not abolishing the breaks. In any case, our children are required to attend school for 180 working days according to the regulations. When both the Ramadan Feast and the Eid al-Adha fall within the same academic term, and there are nine days of holiday for each, it is impossible to fit them in. This is a technical necessity," he said.

Furthermore, touching upon the seminar periods for teachers, Tekin provided information on how this period would be implemented due to the overlap between the Ramadan Feast and the mid-term break week. "Since the week of the mid-term break coincides with the Ramadan Feast, our teacher colleagues might be expecting the following: 'The seminar period'. We will conduct that online as well," he said.

Minister Tekin stated that private school preferences are entirely the decision of parents and touched upon the Ministry's inspection mechanisms. He underscored that there are legal regulations in place against exorbitant increases in education, stationery, clothing, and meal fees.

Finally, sharing current data regarding the proportion of students attending private schools, Tekin stated, "The number of students going to private schools is 8.7 percent. 8 out of 100 students are in private schools."