The final act in the graduation ceremony dress code scandal: Why did Minister Tekin defend the principal?

A graduation ceremony was organized by the school administration for students in the schoolyard of Alaettin Kurt Anatolian High School, located in the Kirazpınar neighborhood of Kocaeli's Gebze district. 

In fact, the students wanted to collect money among themselves to hold the graduation ball at a venue outside the school. However, this was not permitted due to a circular issued by the Ministry of National Education approximately 10 days ago. There were no problems in other schools across Gebze where graduation ceremonies were held. At Alaettin Kurt Anatolian High School, however, the school principal clashed with students and parents. 

Some female students who arrived at the school for the graduation ceremony were not allowed into the ceremony on the grounds that they were wearing clothes contrary to the regulations. While the doors were closed to the students, some parents and students reacted to the school administration. An argument broke out between the parents and the school administration. School principal Ahmet Korkmaz also came to the school gate and requested that the students not be allowed inside. Upon the tension that arose, a gendarmerie team was dispatched to the school following a report.

Students and parents shared videos on social media to announce what had happened. The video of the students left at the school gate became a trending topic.

TWO INSPECTORS ASSIGNED

The Kocaeli Governor's Office has assigned two inspectors regarding the graduation ceremony controversy. In the statement made by the Governor's Office, it was said, "Two Education Inspectors have been assigned by our Governor's Office to conduct the necessary examinations regarding the allegations and news reports that appeared in some social media accounts and the press, which were claimed to have occurred at a graduation ceremony of a school in our Gebze district. The matter is being examined in all its aspects." 

"SHOW YOUR OUTFIT BEFORE WEARING IT"

Bülent Metin, Head of the Kocaeli No. 2 Branch of Eğitim-İş, had explained the details of the graduation ceremony controversy to 12Punto. President Bülent Metin said, "Students were asked to show the outfits they would wear at the graduation ceremony beforehand. It was said that students whose outfits were approved would be included in the program. The administration said, 'show your outfit before wearing it.' On the day of the ceremony, the school administration conducted its own dress inspection, did not allow the students into the school, and both the students and parents were left at the gate." 

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"TEACHERS SHOULD SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION"

A written statement was also made by the Alaettin Kurt Anatolian High School administration. The statement indicated that individuals who were not students or parents were making broadcasts on social media, and that in these broadcasts, accusations were made that students were not being allowed into the school. The school administration claimed that the graduation ceremony took place "without any problems" and that no incident occurred. 

While the school administration claimed in its official statement that no incident occurred during the graduation ceremony, it called for support for the administration in the school's WhatsApp group chat. 

In the WhatsApp message reached by 12Punto, a call was made to teachers, stating, "Last night, some students and parents tried to force our hand by trying to make us say 'we will do what we want.' Isn't it time to show that we, as the entire teaching staff, stand by our school administrators? I think every friend who is a member of the union should take a stance against the psychological and sociological violence being applied." 

Here is the WhatsApp message from the Alaettin Kurt Anatolian High School administration:

SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL FROM MINISTER OF NATIONAL EDUCATION TEKİN

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin made his first assessment of the incident while a guest on Habertürk and supported the high school principal Ahmet Korkmaz, saying, "Our school principal made a very logical start." In the continuation of his statement, Minister Tekin portrayed the debate over the female students' clothing as if there were a space issue, saying, "He asked the parents, 'We are holding a graduation program, who will attend with the students?' He received an attendance list. The debate, which started with 'we will take you if there is space left' for those not on the list, evolved into another dimension. Negative images appeared on screens and social media. I felt sorry on behalf of my teacher colleagues. The incident was already resolved in a short time." 

However, two inspectors had been assigned to investigate the incident. It was commented that these words of Minister Tekin "cast a shadow" over the investigation before the internal investigation could be conducted. 

So, why did Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin support school principal Ahmet Korkmaz without waiting for the results of the inspectors' investigation?

Let us recall, teachers were also asked to support the school administration in the school's WhatsApp group, and it was stated that the union would also be mobilized on this issue. 

12Punto examined Ahmet Korkmaz's book and the events he organized at the school. 

School principal Ahmet Korkmaz had turned his thesis work into a book titled "4+4+4 Education System," which was published in 2022. The AKP government introduced the 4+4+4 system in 2012 despite reactions. There were criticisms that this system reduced schooling and paved the way for child labor. Ahmet Korkmaz, on the other hand, defended the AKP's 4+4+4 education system in this book. The following statements were included in the promotion of the book: "Success in the 4+4+4 Education System: The 4+4+4 Education System, which was a system where many reactions were voiced at the beginning, is determined to have performed successfully in reaching its goals at the point reached today. Especially the steps taken towards vocational education have turned the attendance problem that emerged in the system into a gain in a short time. In the 2015-2016 academic year, a 100% schooling rate was reached by the method of enrolling all secondary school graduates who could not be placed in secondary education or did not apply directly to open high schools by the Ministry of National Education."

Here is that book: 

The book is not the only detail showing that school principal Ahmet Korkmaz adopted AKP policies...

Now let's look at the events Principal Korkmaz organized at the school.

Events with TÜGVA (Turkey Youth Foundation), where Bilal Erdoğan, the son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is a member of the High Advisory Board, draw attention. 

Gebze TÜGVA Representative Sedat Turan had organized a meeting at the school.

When the Alaettin Kurt Anatolian High School e-sports team came in first in the TÜGVA organization, Principal Korkmaz said, "We also thank TÜGVA Gebze President Sedat Turan."

Muhammet Şimşek had been invited to the school for the TÜGVA Career Days program, and Şimşek also appeared visiting the AKP Gebze District Presidency. 

Of course, the TEKNOFEST competition was also one of Principal Korkmaz's posts.

News Source: 12punto