In the spotlight with curriculum changes: Yusuf Tekin's call to 'reconcile the Ottoman Empire with the Republic'

Criticizing the CHP over the demand for a free meal in schools, Tekin said the main opposition should be 'grateful'.

Tekin stated, "First, thank us. First, thank us and say that you are grateful for reducing the number of students per classroom in Turkey to the twenties," adding, "Because we have built so many classrooms, look, we have built approximately 450-500 thousand classrooms."

Continuing his remarks, Tekin said, "All of our 600-650 thousand classrooms currently have internet access and smart boards. For these reasons, thank us and say, 'You have done these, may God be pleased, now let's do this missing thing as well.'" He added, "We will do that too. They will also be done. But we did these. You first need to learn to be grateful."

"WE MUST RECONCILE THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE WITH THE REPUBLIC"

Regarding the criticisms of the curriculum changes, Tekin said, "They are objecting. I am now saying that we are making changes to the curriculum. Everyone complains to us that their children are moving away from national and spiritual values. They are uncomfortable with everything from their attire to their love for the homeland, love for the nation, and the feeling of being one with the nation. Then we need to solve this."

Continuing his speech, the Minister of National Education said, "I removed the concept of 'Crusades' from the history curriculum. It is not an expedition; the Crusaders attacked us. We removed this from the curriculum, why are you objecting?" and added, "I am saying that we must reconcile the Ottoman Empire with the Republic. I am saying that we must reconcile the old Turkish states with the Republic."

Yusuf Tekin concluded his remarks by saying, "Our children must also know the Ottoman Empire as their ancestors. They must also embrace the Ottoman Empire. I am saying that we need to make changes to the history curriculum for this, and I am doing it."

CURRICULUM CHANGES HAD DRAWN REACTION

In recent days, the Ministry of National Education's decision to use the term "National Struggle" instead of "War of Independence" in the new curriculum had been met with public backlash. In his statement on the matter, Yusuf Tekin had said, "What are we being liberated from? There was a great Ottoman Empire before that," and these words had also become the target of criticism.

VAHDETTIN'S ESCAPE REMOVED

At the same time, a notable change was made regarding the last Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet Vahdettin, in the new curriculum. In the books, while describing the abolition of the sultanate, the phrase "On November 17, 1922, the last sultan, Mehmet Vahdettin, left Istanbul on a British ship" was used. In the new book, while Vahdettin is referred to as "Sultan," the phrase "British ship" was removed. Vahdettin's escape from the country was conveyed with the words, "Sultan Vahdettin left the country on November 17 to go to the island of Malta."

News Source: 12punto