Yusuf Tekin's defense of 'report cards without Atatürk': 'It's outdated now'

The Ministry of National Education (MEB) has become the focus of debates regarding the removal of Atatürk's picture from the report cards of 1st and 2nd-grade primary school students. While the practice drew reactions from educators and the opposition, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin made statements on the matter.

"I CONDEMN THE ACCUSATIONS OF DISRESPECT TOWARD ATATÜRK"

Minister Tekin rejected the criticisms directed by the opposition regarding the removal of Atatürk's picture, stating, "As the Ministry of National Education, we are obligated to respect everyone who entrusted this country to us, especially Atatürk, and their legacies." Tekin added, "I condemn the opposition here for claiming that we would have a negative attitude toward Atatürk's prestige. This is a clear case of reading intentions."

"EVALUATION BY GRADES IS NOW OUTDATED"

Minister Tekin stated that giving grades to students is an obsolete approach. Saying, "Evaluating a child who has just learned to read and write with a grade is an outdated approach," Tekin said that the Ministry of National Education is working on a new evaluation model. Tekin explained that this model aims to evaluate students not just with grades, but in a more comprehensive way, and to provide guidance to parents.

Minister Tekin stated that these changes, made within the scope of the "Century of Turkey" and the "Maarif model," would be more beneficial to the education system, saying, "This is a new practice; here is our report card and our development report."