16.05.2025 08:20
Following the statements made by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, the duration of compulsory education in high schools has become a topic of discussion. The 4+4+4 compulsory education system implemented in Turkey since 2012 has two alternative models that are gaining attention: '3+1' and '2+2'. Here are the details of the two models currently on the agenda...
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The 4+4+4 compulsory education system implemented in Turkey since 2012 has been reopened for discussion by academics, non-governmental organizations, and education experts, particularly regarding the functioning of the last 4 years in high schools.
MINISTER TEKİN HAD GIVEN A SIGN
There are discussions about a new regulation according to needs regarding the 4-year education period currently applied in primary schools, secondary schools, and high schools. While discussions continue about reducing the duration of high schools from 4 years, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin's statement regarding changes in compulsory education, "There are some sectors, like the business world, that express discomfort about the 12-year compulsory education. They say they have difficulty in supplying intermediate staff," has become a matter of curiosity.
TWO MODELS ARE EMERGING
Among the alternative models that have come to the agenda, the "3+1 model," which structures the first 3 years of high school education as compulsory and the last year as a university preparation process, and the "2+2 model," which foresees granting a diploma after the first 2 years and offering an additional 2 years of academic or vocational education for interested students, are prominent.
HOW IS THE 3+1 EDUCATION MODEL IMPLEMENTED?
Three models are emerging regarding the education duration in high schools. The 3+1 education system proposes to reduce compulsory education in high school to 3 years. In this context, students will be granted a diploma in the 11th grade. The 12th grade is planned to be optional as university preparation.
2+2 EDUCATION SYSTEM
In the 2+2 Education System, the compulsory education duration for high schools is being discussed to be 2 years. Students who wish will receive an additional 2 years of education. Those who want to progress vocationally will be directed to Vocational Education Centers, open education, or employment programs.
16 YEARS WILL BE WAITED FOR DIPLOMA
In the 'Age Model,' the age for completing compulsory education for students is being discussed. Accordingly, high school students will be able to receive their diplomas when they turn 16.
"WE ANALYZED THE PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM"
Talat Yavuz, General Secretary of Eğitim-Bir-Sen, stated that compulsory education is one of the fundamental public services that provide individuals access to basic rights and support social equality, but education systems need to be continuously reviewed in line with the needs of societies and changing conditions. Yavuz reported that with this understanding, they have initiated a comprehensive research project to reevaluate the 12-year compulsory education structure in light of data obtained from the field and policy documents, noting that they have analyzed the strengths and problematic aspects of the current system by examining many sources such as TBMM records, Ministry of National Education policy texts, international comparative reports, and NGO analyses.
FIELD AND SURVEY STUDIES WILL BE CONDUCTED
Yavuz stated, "The findings obtained indicate that the structure of compulsory education needs to be reconsidered to enhance the quality of education, use resources more effectively, and provide career paths suitable for students' interests and abilities."
Yavuz expressed that they will conduct a comprehensive field research and survey study with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders, using the following statements:
"Our ultimate goal is to develop a participatory, data-driven, and solution-oriented model proposal and provide concrete contributions to decision-makers. In the final stage, a new model proposal will be developed to be shared with the public and decision-makers based on these data. Currently, on our agenda for the model proposal is the establishment of an individualized and modular secondary education structure where the last years of high school are made optional, making preschool education compulsory and free, developing flexible curriculum models based on fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and digital literacy, strengthening vocational guidance systems, and increasing digital learning skills with weekly online education days."
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