Özel: Creating a curriculum is like drafting a constitution

The 'Great Education Rally' was organized by the CHP and education unions in Fatih, Saraçhane. The rally was attended by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, CHP deputies, union members, teachers, and citizens.

Stating that they gathered to defend the rights of education workers, CHP Chairman Özel said, "In this square, there are those who are ignored, those who are looked down upon. In this square, there are those who cannot make their voices heard even if they shout. We have come here to be a voice for their voices and to support their struggle.

We will maintain our determination to stand by the unappointed teachers and the victims of the interview process until the end. We are in Saraçhane Square to declare this. If necessary, we will negotiate at the table, seek your rights, and explain your grievances; if they listen, that is well and good. If they do not listen, we will seek your rights by taking to the squares and pouring into the streets for you," he said.

"IT WILL TAKE 65 YEARS FOR THEM TO BE APPOINTED"

"I am calling out to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; if you were not going to appoint them, why did you educate these 1 million innocent people, why did you give them hope, why did you give them diplomas, and why are you still turning your back on them?" Özel said, adding, "When you appoint 114 thousand teachers today, there is not a single surplus teacher in the public sector. But what are you doing?

You say that we will appoint as many as those who retire. There are 23 thousand retirees, and they are appointing 20 thousand. They say that for 3 years, we will implement austerity measures and appoint as many teachers as those who retire. With this calculation, it will take exactly 65 years for the current teachers to be appointed," he said.

Criticizing the changes made to the curriculum, Özel said, "If you make a political party's election slogan the title of the National Education curriculum, it means you have buttoned the first and last buttons wrong. What you call the 'Maarif Model' carries the name of a century ago and the spirit of 200 years ago," he stated.

"CREATING A CURRICULUM IS LIKE DRAFTING A CONSTITUTION"

Continuing his speech, Özel said, "Violence in education is not a law that can be enacted alone. The voices of unions and organizations must be heard, and teachers and experts in the field must be listened to. Creating a curriculum is like drafting a constitution. When creating a curriculum, you must hear and listen to everyone, and you must create the best version through full consensus. Here is a good test for you ahead. 

You say, 'I will draft a constitution, I will be participatory, a constitution that will represent 96 percent of Turkey.' Come on then, the curriculum is here, the constitution of education is here. Call the 96 percent, call the unions.

From now on, we will continue to be in the squares against those who do not hear our voice, for those whose voices are not heard, for the destitute, and for those who cannot make their voices heard even if they raise them," he said.

News Source: İHA