21.10.2025 14:08
The Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, stated that they have received complaints about pressure being exerted on some administrators during school enrollment periods and announced that a new system is on the way. Tekin said, "Next year, we will implement a system where school enrollments will be closed with limitations."
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin stated that they have received complaints from teachers about some administrators being pressured during school registration periods, announcing that a new system will be implemented starting next year that will limit school registrations. Tekin said, "Our colleagues in the provinces will no longer face such pressures. We are making a regulation on this matter in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. We will eliminate the imbalances in our schools."
"NATIONAL EDUCATION IS TURKEY'S LARGEST FAMILY"
Meeting with district national education directors at the Erzurum In-Service Training Institute, Minister Tekin described the Ministry of National Education as "Turkey's largest family." Tekin explained the size of the ministry with numbers, stating, "We directly reach a population of 50-60 million with approximately 75,000 schools, 1.25 million teachers, and 18 million students. The most fundamental requirement for the success of such a vast structure is healthy communication."
"WE VISITED SCHOOLS AND HAD CONVERSATIONS"
Tekin stated that since he took office, they have established direct contact with teachers in the field, saying, "We visited schools and had conversations in the teachers' lounge, took notes, and turned these requests into regulations. Starting from the summer of 2023, we will publish a general directive every year to prepare for the academic year. In these directives, we take into account the suggestions of our teachers."
"REGISTRATION PRESSURE CAUSES IMBALANCE IN EDUCATION"
Minister Tekin pointed out that creating a "popular school" perception in some regions leads to serious imbalances. Despite the address-based placement system, he noted that some parents pressure administrators to enroll their children in different schools, saying: "In some provinces, our governors and directors are under intense pressure to enroll students whose addresses are not suitable. As a result, while classes in one school in the same area have 20 students, another school next door can have 40-45 students. This disrupts our planning."
ALLEGATIONS OF REGISTRATION FEES
Tekin stated that some parents misinterpret this situation with allegations of "registration fees," saying, "Actually, school principals cannot enroll the child because the address is not suitable. However, some parents portray this differently. No one can enroll in this way."
"REGISTRATIONS WILL BE LIMITED, PRESSURES WILL END"
During a school visit in Altındağ, Ankara, Minister Tekin announced that they would take a new step based on the requests from teachers. Tekin said, "Next year, we will implement a practice where school registrations will be closed with limitations." He added, "Our administrators in the provinces will no longer face such pressures. By collaborating with the Ministry of Interior, we will prevent the sabotage of our schools' planning. Some schools are forced to close their music workshops or libraries and turn them into classrooms. We will change this picture."
"THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO FIELD PROBLEMS"
Minister Tekin stated that all feedback from the field forms the basis of new regulations, saying, "Every decision we make is based on the real problems experienced by our teachers and administrators in the field. Our goal is to eliminate injustices in the field and strengthen equality in education."
In the closed part of the meeting, Tekin consulted with district national education directors on new educational planning and the registration system.