Minister of National Education Tekin: The CHP's understanding of secularism does not align with mine

Expressing his satisfaction with walking the path alongside AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Tekin thanked President Erdoğan for his services to Turkey's democracy and the consolidation of democratic political life in Turkey.

Stating that the level of democratic maturity in Turkey has now reached the level of contemporary democracies, Tekin spoke as follows:

"Whatever the world's developed countries adopt in terms of education, we are adopting it as well. This is the first dimension. The second dimension is that we have also incorporated into this curriculum the fundamental reference values of the Anatolian people that keep this country together.

There are criticisms, particularly from the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the DEM Party group, regarding the Turkey-specific Century of Turkey Education Model.

I ask them in every setting. Are you objecting to us adopting global practices exactly as they are? Whether you object or not, we will keep this series of values alive forever.

Say whatever you want. We will implement what we promised the public in the May 14-28 elections, what the people we see here promised others by going door-to-door, saying 'we will bring such an education model and education system.' Now the DEM Party and CHP group are objecting to me. 

"THE CHP GROUP OBJECTS BY SAYING IT DOES NOT ALIGN WITH SECULARISM"

For example, the CHP group objects to me by saying 'it does not align with secularism.' I say, 'the model we have introduced aligns one-to-one with universal secularism practices and secularism practices protected by international law,' but it does not align with the Republican People's Party's understanding of secularism. Therefore, the Republican People's Party's understanding of secularism does not align with my understanding of secularism."

Minister Tekin emphasized that he views the guarantee of freedom of religious belief and worship under state protection as a requirement of secularism, stating, "I was criticized by French television channels for a week because I opposed foreign schools in our country that act with a colonial mentality.

When we implemented the Century of Turkey Education Model, Greek television channels slammed and criticized me for 15 days.

They criticized us for including the Blue Homeland and the Sky Homeland in the curriculum. Should I do what Greece, France, and the CHP say, or should I do what the wisdom of Anatolia and its people say?" he said.

News Source: AA