3 May 2024
In a move aimed at streamlining the nation’s education system, Turkey’s Education Ministry has introduced a comprehensive curriculum overhaul affecting students across primary, middle, and high school levels. The initiative, long-awaited by educators and policymakers, seeks to simplify the current educational model by a substantial 35%.
Education Minister Yusuf Tekin described the initiative as the “Century of Türkiye Education Model,” aligning it with the government’s broader vision announced ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic in 2023. The ministry emphasised that the new curriculum reflects Turkey’s unique values while drawing inspiration from universal educational models.
Despite the significant changes, the ministry has refrained from specifying the precise subjects slated for exclusion from educational programs, leaving room for speculation among stakeholders.
The new curriculum places a strong emphasis on equipping students with essential literacy skills across nine key areas, including knowledge, digital literacy, financial literacy, visual literacy, cultural understanding, citizenship, data literacy, sustainability, and the arts.
The ministry highlighted the necessity for the overhaul, citing the density of the current curriculum. Rather than increasing weekly class hours to accommodate the existing curriculum, the governing body has opted for simplification in topics, aiming to create a more focused and efficient learning experience.
Public feedback and suggestions will be solicited for a week regarding the newly announced curriculum, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in the implementation process.
The rollout of the new curriculum will commence in the upcoming academic year, starting with the first grade of each educational level. This phased approach will see preschool, first-grade primary school students, fifth-grade middle school students, and 11th-grade high school students being educated under the revised curriculum.
Minister Tekin stressed that the ultimate goal of the education system is to foster critical thinking skills, moving beyond mere information consumption to analytical thinking. He stressed that the curriculum development process is the culmination of a decade-long effort, reflecting continuous refinement and evolution rather than a sudden overhaul.
