From economy to education: The impasse of the gap between rhetoric and action

Turkey is going through a deep crisis of confidence and a difficult management test in the field of economic and social policies. The failure to resolve structural problems in a timely manner is causing risks to grow and leading to sharp fractures in a wide range of areas, from financial markets to our educational institutions.

On the financial side, the recent crises in certain portfolio management companies and the Capital Markets Board (SPK) decisions to liquidate and suspend operations for over 130 funds have created a serious shock in the markets. Immediately following this environment, where the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms is being questioned, the messages of a 'resilient economy' and reform given to international investors at the 'Turkey Investment Conference' held within the scope of the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York drew attention. However, these positive statements, which do not align with the realities of the domestic market, will be insufficient to provide the expected foreign capital inflow or to build credibility.

First and foremost, resolving the financial crisis within the country is possible only by punishing opportunists who take advantage of deficiencies in balance and oversight mechanisms, and by compensating the victims of portfolio companies licensed by the SPK. Without doing these, promising a 'resilient economy' in rhetoric and painting rosy pictures with tax exemptions will be nothing more than an empty illusion that does not align with the reality of the public and investors.

I SAID IT, SO IT IS!

A similarly painful picture applies to our education system. While the tragedy from last year at the Kahramanmaraş Onikişubat Ayser Çalık Secondary School, where 8 students and 1 teacher lost their lives, is still fresh in our memory, the act of violence that took place in front of the Manisa Turgutlu İnci Üzmez Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School on the first day of the second week of the 2026-2027 academic year once again revealed the extent of the risks regarding school safety.

Yet, the Ministry of National Education had issued a comprehensive 44-article circular numbered 2026/70 regarding the work and procedures to be carried out at the beginning of the new academic year, and had dedicated the 6th article of this circular directly to school safety. However, the measures on paper were not reflected in the field; as early as the sixth day of the academic year, 11 students were injured as a result of an armed attack.

We hope that our children will regain their health as soon as possible; we convey our best wishes for a speedy recovery to all of them. However, the deep trauma that not only the injured but all the children present at the scene will experience will lead to the weakening of the bond established with the school, the deepening of a sense of insecurity, and the acceleration of dropouts from education.

We hope that the authorities do not think they can overcome this deep trauma just by issuing new circulars and official letters.

Dismissing violent incidents in schools with only administrative investigations does not solve the essence of the problem. Moving away from reason and science-focused programs, the lack of a pedagogical approach that prepares students for the future, and the failure to establish a qualified education and management understanding are deepening the problem. At this point, instead of just taking physical measures or installing X-ray devices, it is necessary to allocate sufficient budget to schools, strengthen psychological counseling and guidance (PDR) services, establish a merit-based management, solve the problems of teachers and school support staff, and take concrete steps against individual armament.

In conclusion, you cannot bring the economy to a stable state with financial steps devoid of production. You cannot ensure safety in education with circulars through an outdated education approach that you cannot support with a sufficient budget and that you have severed from reason and science in its educational programs. You cannot ensure peace.

What we need is not fancy rhetoric and instructions on paper; it is a secular and scientific understanding of education that meets the requirements of the age, a functioning balance-oversight mechanism, and structural steps to be taken with determination.

Otherwise, like the saying 'My son reads the building, he reads it over and over again,' you will not only stand still, but you will go further backward every day.