Halil İbrahim Topçu, Ministry of National Education (MEB) General Director of Secondary Education, answered questions about the changes in the regulations regulating attendance and class passing conditions at the high school level.
Explaining that they developed policies to increase the quality of education under the instructions of the Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin and made legislative arrangements accordingly, Topçu stated that changes were made in this regard, especially in the newly published Secondary Education Institutions Regulation.
"IT WILL BE APPLIED IN 9TH GRADES THIS YEAR"
In this context, Topçu stated that they are reconsidering the regulation of passing grades so that students' educational processes can achieve the desired goals, and gave the following information:
"In the current system, our students who achieved an average of 50 were passing the grade with an average of more than one course. This situation led to our students moving to the next grade without gaining the basic competencies of many core courses, especially some of the core courses. With the new regulation, our students will now have an average of 50 at the end of the year, but they will be able to pass the class directly with a maximum of one weak subject. In the previous practice, the responsible class could pass up to 3 courses regardless of the year-end average. Now we have made changes to pass the class responsibly. The year-end average will still be 50, and the student will be able to pass the class by being responsible for a maximum of 3 courses. If the student is weak in 4 courses, he/she will repeat the class. This regulation will be implemented gradually. Therefore, it will only be applied to 9th graders this year. This year, 10th, 11th and 12th grades will graduate according to the provisions of the previous regulation until they graduate."
MEASUREMENT FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCE
Reminding that they have made some arrangements in the sections of the directive regarding attendance and absenteeism in order to increase the quality of education and ensure that students continue their education in a safe, controlled environment, Topçu said, "In the current legislation, there was a right to be absent for a total of 30 days, 10 days without excuse and 20 days with excuse, and this still continues. However, as a precaution against unexcused absences, we have introduced a requirement for students with unexcused absences to do an additional hour of social responsibility duty for each day of absence."
"THE PURPOSE IS TO INTERVENE IMMEDIATELY"
Topçu stated that the regulation obliges high schools to establish a "prevention, intervention and guidance commission" and noted the following regarding the work of these commissions:
"Commissions will be compulsorily established in schools for the first time this academic year. Our aim in establishing the commissions is to provide correct guidance to students and to intervene in a timely manner as it becomes more difficult to pass a class. Starting from this year, the commissions will analyze the students' situations regarding learning losses after each written exam, prepare reports and inform the administration. He will intervene when necessary. The parent will be informed and will work to take the necessary precautions to prevent the student from repeating a grade. These commissions will also take precautions for our students who are at risk of absenteeism and repeating a grade, and will act within the parent-student-administration triad."
When asked what the precautions would be if some social risks were detected in the student, Topçu said, "The local observer and follower of this situation will be the commission. The administration will take measures as required by the situation."
"OUR STUDENTS SHOULD NOT EXPECT AMNESTY"
Topçu stated that the amnesties issued by the ministry every year in a row, especially regarding the preparation process of 12th graders for higher education, have in a sense become a tradition and an expectation.
Therefore, pointing out that students expect amnesty every year, Topçu continued as follows:
"The issues we mentioned in the transition to open high school are also relevant here. It is important that the student is in the school environment and under the supervision and supervision of our teachers. Separating certain courses and excluding other courses is harmful to the integrity of education. After taking office, our Minister repeatedly explained that this practice, aimed at educating students in a holistic education system, was not a very pedagogical and meaningful practice. Therefore, this year our students should not expect such amnesty in order to avoid being victimized in this sense."