16.01.2026 11:50
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin firmly denied the claims that "the photo of Atatürk has been removed from report cards," stating, "Please stop criticizing our schools, us, and our education system through Atatürk. We respect Atatürk as much as they do, we love Atatürk."
The Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, who shared in the joy of students receiving their report cards, also clarified the claims raised by the opposition regarding the 'removal of Atatürk's photo from report cards.'
Stating, "As the Ministry of National Education, we are obliged to respect Atatürk, as well as everyone who entrusted this country to us, their material and spiritual legacies, and to raise a generation that will respect them," Minister Tekin added, "Our report card and development report are here. Now, this is a new application, this is also our report card. To manipulate in this way through report cards, I honestly listened to a statement made by Mr. Özgür Özel when he was the Chairman of the Republican People's Party. He said, 'We will stop doing politics by hiding behind Atatürk; we will no longer do this.' I was really hopeful, but unfortunately, the Republican People's Party is still acting with the same logic. Please stop criticizing our schools, us, and our education system through Atatürk. We respect Atatürk as much as they do, we love Atatürk," he stated.
Highlights from Minister Tekin's statements;
"Evaluating a child whom we have just taught to read and write with a grade is now a very outdated approach in the world pedagogically. Together with the Turkey Century Education Model, we have initiated a monitoring and identification process where our teacher colleagues evaluate students comprehensively, not just with a grade, guide parents, and help students spend their vacation periods more beneficially.
"THIS IS CLEARLY MIND READING"
This is not just us; the world is now continuing its education processes with this method, and it has been highly appreciated by our teacher colleagues. Similarly, we have abolished the report card application in primary schools; in middle and high schools, the development report is also conducted alongside the report card. The reason this issue is being heavily debated these days is the opposition party... I find it hard to understand this. Look, as the Ministry of National Education, we are obliged to respect Atatürk, as well as everyone who entrusted this country to us, their material and spiritual legacies. Therefore, I condemn the opposition that claims we would have a negative attitude towards Atatürk or his dignity. I say this openly; this is clearly mind reading.
"HIDING BEHIND ATATÜRK..."
Our report card and development report are here. Now, this is a new application, this is also our report card. To manipulate in this way through report cards, I honestly listened to a statement made by Mr. Özgür Özel when he was the Chairman of the Republican People's Party. He said, 'We will stop doing politics by hiding behind Atatürk; we will no longer do this.' I was really hopeful, but unfortunately, the Republican People's Party is still acting with the same logic.
"WE LOVE ATATÜRK AS MUCH AS THEY DO"
Please stop criticizing our schools, us, and our education system through Atatürk. We respect Atatürk as much as they do, we love Atatürk. We strive for our children to be raised in a way that respects their ancestors and the values of the republic. This is a very simple politics; they should not think so shallowly to hide something that is known in the public as 'the theft of the century,' they should not approach it so superficially. Let me express this once again through you.