The echoes of the statement made by the Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin last July regarding the opening of only girls' schools continue.
Stating that he is in favor of a liberal education system, Minister Tekin said that some families do not send their daughters to school to avoid having them study together with boys, and that a solution to this could be to open schools where only girls can study.
After Minister Tekin's statement, some people stood up and expressed their concerns that mixed education would be abolished. The issue was also discussed among political parties.
Tekin stated that mixed education is essential in the basic law of National Education.
"My main duty is to increase the schooling rate. But if it is necessary to take such measures for such reasons, that is, in terms of increasing education and schooling rates, let's take them together," he said.
THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE PARLIAMENT
YSP Şırnak Deputy Mehmet Zeki İrmez brought to the Turkish Grand National Assembly the statement made by the Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin in July, "If necessary, we should be able to open girls' schools, parents should be able to send their children to girls' schools or to schools attended by boys."
İrmez asked whether the ministry had any studies on 'girls' schools'.
Responding to the proposal, Minister Tekin stated that there is no legal obstacle to the opening of "girls' schools", citing the 'mixed education' article of the National Education Law as an example.
“THERE IS NO OBSTACLE IN THE LAW FROM OPENING A SEPARATE SCHOOL”
Talking about the 15th article of the Basic Law of National Education titled 'Mixed education', Minister Tekin said in his statement that the law states that 'It is essential to provide mixed education for boys and girls in schools. However, depending on the type of education, opportunities and obligations, some schools may be reserved for only girls or boys only.
"As can be seen, there is no obstacle to opening separate schools for only girls or only boys within the scope of the law, if necessary," Tekin added.