Yeni Şafak columnist Yusuf Kaplan calls for compulsory education to be reduced to 8 years

Yeni Şafak columnist Yusuf Kaplan has penned an article bringing the debate over the duration of compulsory education back to the agenda. Kaplan argued that instead of the final two years, the last four years of the 12-year compulsory education system should no longer be mandatory.

Kaplan's article follows previous discussions on "shortening the duration of compulsory education" raised by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin. Allegations had previously surfaced in the public domain regarding work being done on a "2+2" model, which envisioned making the final two years of high school non-compulsory.

In his article, Kaplan claimed that the current compulsory education system has negative consequences for families, industry, and the young population.

12 years of uninterrupted education has paralyzed education; killed industry; shattered the family; pushed up the age of marriage and ended marriages; young generations who are unemployed, marrying and divorcing rapidly, incompatible, aimless, and without ideals are also writhing in the grip of drugs and virtual gambling...

Kaplan, who wants compulsory education reduced to 8 years, argued that with this change, "the country, industry, and society will breathe." In his article, Kaplan also highlighted the justification of population growth.

Not the last 2 years, but the last 4 years of 12-year uninterrupted education should be made non-compulsory; the country, industry, and society should breathe, the population should increase, and society should begin to see its future.

Proposals to shorten compulsory education are sparking debate over children's right to education, early entry into the workforce, and the future of high school education. While it is noted that the government has not yet taken any concrete steps on this issue, the topic remains on the agenda of education policies.