15.07.2025 13:40
The Minister of National Education, Tekin, reacted strongly to the comment regarding the LGS, in which 719 students received full marks, stating that "there are foul smells coming from this." Tekin said, "If there is a problem with exam security, our inspectors immediately conducted their investigations to identify it. We are explaining this, we are saying it. I sincerely apologize. We are explaining it step by step as if to someone with a low IQ. But they are not satisfied; it continues."
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin responded very harshly to the criticisms regarding the central exam within the scope of the Transition to High Schools System (LGS) made by Muharrem İnce.
Tekin, who visited the "Victory's Name Turkey Special Children Exhibition" held in the MEB Council Hall on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, also answered questions from journalists.
719 STUDENTS SCORED FULL POINTS
In response to a journalist's question about the 719 students who scored full points in the central exam announced on July 11, Tekin stated that the Ministry conducts all its work independently of those who prioritize their political interests in public, making criticisms, gossip, and slander. He mentioned that they carry out all exams, including LGS, with this perspective, and they strive to show maximum respect for the rule of law and the efforts of students and teachers, stating that they try to prevent anything that would hinder this.
"WE EXPLAIN AS IF TO A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY"
Tekin stated that after a one-year preparation process, students took the exam, saying, "We made statements regarding the issues discussed from the moment the exam ended on the day of the exam. For example, the first thing said was, 'the exam questions were leaked.' The questions of an exam that ended at 10:45 were shared on social media at 11:57, as per security records. Now, for someone to say that the questions shared at 11:57 'undermine the security of the exam, put its safety at risk,' they either need to be mentally impaired or be engaged in a manipulative act. We made the necessary explanations regarding this. Afterwards, our inspectors immediately conducted their investigations to identify anyone who might have been negligent in this matter and to determine if there was any issue regarding exam security. We explain this, we say it. I sincerely apologize. We explain it as if to a child with a disability. But they are not satisfied; they continue." he expressed his reaction.
"IF THERE IS A FOUL SMELL, IT SHOULD COME FROM THE CHP HEADQUARTERS"
Criticizing the statements made by Muharrem İnce, who joined the CHP, Tekin continued his speech as follows:
"Now they say, 'there is a foul smell coming from the LGS.' I tell the person who says this to step out of the Republican People's Party Headquarters. Because if there is a foul smell, it comes from the fact that the municipalities affiliated with the Republican People's Party have squandered the country's, the nation's, and the citizens' money, and that they are being tried for bribery. Therefore, they should step out of the Republican People's Party to get rid of the foul smell. Now they are saying such absurd arguments, for example, they say, 'I asked a couple of people around me, they said the exam was very difficult, but 719 first-place students came out.' Well, I say that throughout the year, we constantly told our students, 'children, look, all the questions will come from your textbooks. Therefore, focus on your textbooks. All the questions will come from what our teachers have explained to you. Therefore, listen to your teachers carefully. You will not need any other material.' If there are 719 first-place students in the exam, and if this is an extraordinary situation as you say, then it is because of our advice to our children to focus on their school and not to expect benefits from anything outside of their teachers."
"DON'T CHANGE THE AGENDA THROUGH CHILDREN"
Regarding the other criticisms from the CHP about the exam, Tekin stated, "Especially the statements coming from the Republican People's Party are aimed at diverting the manipulation and discussion from the dirty and controversial environment they are in, the suspicion of baklava boxes. I respect that; you can do this, but do not do it through the children we call 'sabi sübyan.' This puts you in a morally difficult situation. We investigate and research even the smallest complaint and criticism by establishing our commissions in the Ministry. If there had been any incident that would cast even the slightest suspicion on the security of the exam, we would have already taken the necessary actions. Look, the integrity of all our students' exams and achievements is entrusted to us. We are working day and night with an army of 1 million 200 thousand people to protect this trust."