30.01.2025 14:41
The Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, stated that institutions that charge exorbitant fees in private schools, do not provide their teachers with the rights they deserve, and demand unofficial fees from parents are harming the sector. Tekin said, "Resolve it among yourselves or bring it to us, and we will take the necessary actions. We won't hesitate to close them down if it comes to that."
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Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin stated that institutions that apply exorbitant prices in private schools, do not provide their teachers with the rights they deserve, and demand unregistered fees from parents harm the sector, saying, "My request from you is this; let’s walk through this process together. You either solve these bad examples within yourselves or reach out to us, and we will do what is necessary. Working together is only possible this way. Let me say it again. As long as you do not do it, we will do it. Our enforcement power includes both economic penalties and can go as far as closure; we will not hesitate," he said.
The 23rd Traditional Antalya Education Symposium of the Turkish Private Schools Association started in Antalya's Serik district with the theme "Private Schools in Turkey and the World." Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, who attended the symposium held from January 30 to February 1, made statements regarding the fee policies of private schools and inspections related to the sector.
"THERE IS A MISLEADING PERCEPTION ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOL FEES" Minister Tekin stated that generalizing the criticisms of fees directed at private schools to encompass the entire sector is incorrect, emphasizing that the perception created in the public does not align with mathematical realities. Tekin said, "Criticism is being made based on some schools that provide very high-level services and charge high fees. Now we are looking at the data in our system. There are 12,000 private schools in Turkey. However, the number of schools that demand high fees within the mentioned fee scale is only 22. We know mathematics; we have data. We need to oppose this generalization made based on 22 schools out of 12,000 private schools and correct this perception," he said. Addressing the issue of teacher salaries in private schools, Minister Tekin expressed that they closely follow the efforts to improve the rights of private school teachers, stating, "While the Teaching Profession Law was being discussed, a very different perception was created in the public regarding the salaries of teachers working in private schools. We are closely monitoring this process. We all want educators to receive the compensation they deserve, and this issue is our common concern," he said.
"'ROTTEN APPLES' IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS MUST BE CLEANED" Minister Tekin emphasized that the inspection processes for private schools should be viewed as a guidance activity rather than a punitive tool, stating that the private school sector must fight against institutions that engage in wrongful practices within themselves. Tekin said, "If you do not fight against the rotten apples among you that apply exorbitant prices, do not provide their teachers with the rights they deserve, and take unregistered money from parents in violation of procedures, and thus leave you under suspicion; as the Ministry of National Education, which is responsible for conducting and supervising public services, we will pursue this. We will do whatever is necessary to protect the rights and law of our children and parents. I will not say different things for the sake of populism here. This is a matter of rights. It puts you under suspicion as well. It also leaves us in a certain difficulty," he said. Minister Tekin stated that institutions that apply exorbitant prices in private schools, do not provide their teachers with the rights they deserve, and demand unregistered fees from parents harm the sector, saying, "My request from you is this; let’s walk through this process together. You either solve these bad examples within yourselves or reach out to us, and we will do what is necessary. Working together is only possible this way. Let me say it again. As long as you do not do it, we will do it. Our enforcement power includes both economic penalties and can go as far as closure; we will not hesitate. Because here, problematic situations arise with the principle of the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. Our duty is to eliminate these problems," he said.
"WE SAVED PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM FETÖ'S CONTROL" Minister Tekin stated that private educational institutions have shown significant growth since 2002, noting that FETÖ had a significant influence in the sector in the past and that this structure put pressure on the sector. Tekin said, "In 2002, there were a total of 2,395 private schools in Turkey. Today, we have over 12,000 private schools. However, we should not overlook a second dimension here. How many of these 2,395 private schools were connected to FETÖ in 2002? What was the pressure of these schools on the sector? We need to discuss these as well. Even if FETÖ was few in number at that time, it had a structure that directed the sector. I believe that saving the private school sector from this control is one of the greatest achievements," he said. Stating that private schools are an important part of the education system in Turkey, Tekin said, "We see private schools as an important actor in our education system. It is also necessary for public services to be carried out by as many people as possible, in terms of democratic societal principles," he said.
"VACANT SEATS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL BE EVALUATED FOR PUBLIC USE" Minister Tekin stated that they have started working on evaluating the vacant seats in private schools for public use, saying, "We are working on a model for the evaluation of vacant seats in private schools by public schools. We have initiated this process in 11 provinces affected by the February 6 earthquakes. The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and our relevant units are also conducting a study for this. We will continue to expand this process."
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