20 thousand teachers were appointed at the "2021 Teacher Appointment Ceremony" organized in the İstanbul Haliç Congress Center and participated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

 

Erdoğan congratulated the newly appointed 20 thousand teachers and wished them success adding that the number of teachers affiliated to the Ministry of National Education reached 1 million and 137 thousand.

 

Erdoğan stated in his speech during the ceremony that the budget allocated to education is higher than other state institutions and said, "We have achieved important improvements in the employee personal rights of teachers. Turkey is the country which has improved the wage of the teachers most in Europe in the last 20 years."

 

"There were around 500 thousand teachers in 2002. Now, this figure is reaching almost 1 million and 200 thousand. We have overcome the teacher shortage problem by appointing 700 thousand teachers during our rule in various governments," Erdoğan stressed.

 

President Erdoğan noted that the average class size in Turkey is lower than many countries such as the United Kingdom, Austria and France and approximately the same with Germany and US adding that: "With the recent appointments, there is one teacher for every 15 students in primary schools, there is one teacher per 13 students in secondary and high schools. This figure is higher than the average in OECD countries. We had promised improvement in education, health, justice and security when we came to power. In other words, our priority was education. We consider an educated labor force equipped with all kinds of information and skills as the locomotive of our economy, society and democracy. We have allocated the highest budget to education."

 

President Erdoğan mentioned an European Union report that reveals that compulsory lecture hours of teachers is lowest in Turkey when compared to European countries adding that although almost half of all teachers in Europe suffer from stress at the school while this figure is around 20 percent in Turkey.

 

President Erdoğan reminded them that they have distributed 2 million tablet computers and 8 GB internet packages to students during distance education and stated that free textbooks was among the steps that his government had taken in an effort to provide every student access to education and support families.

 

President stated, "We have prioritized improving school infrastructure and making investments for technology in order to increase the quality of education in the country. Our children deserve the best education. The most important element that determines the quality of the education system are teachers. You have to improve yourself while providing updated information to your students. You must attend training programs and master programs for your professional improvement. This is especially important during the pandemic."

 

Stressing that children failed to get together with their peers and teachers for the last 1,5 years due to the pandemic, President Erdoğan went on to say, "The pandemic still continues but we no longer have the luxury to keep our children away from school. We are determined to keep our schools open and give the best education possible to our children. It is important to keep schools open for the mental, physical, cultural and sportive development of our children. With the efforts and support of our parents, children will go back to school as we took all required measures. The Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Health have defined rules and principals that will be followed at schools. I request from our teachers to strictly follow these rules. I believe that you will get vaccinated and be an example for the children and the society."

 

President Erdoğan stated that the Ministry of National Education responds to the cleaning material and mask needs of schools adding that, "Our schools are ready for the new school year. I have no doubt that we will have a successful education term with your efforts and support. With Allah's permission, we will keep our schools open until the end of this school year.

 

Meanwhile, Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer said during the appointment ceremony that, "In cooperation, our education system will become one of the most successful education systems of the World. We will continue to provide all required sources and support to you. I have no doubt that regardless of conditions, you will do your best in order to give quality education to every student."

 

Özer stressed that the number of primary school students is higher than the number of primary students in Holland, Israel, Belgium, Greece and Portugal.

 

Noting that the reason for this comparison is to emphasize Turkey's young population advantage, Özer stated that educators have important responsibility in transforming this amazing advantage into social benefit.

 

Minister Özer stressed that big Turkey has big goals adding that, "Within the framework of 2023 projections, we have the goal of ranking among the first 10 economies of the World. We have to give quality education in order to respond to the social needs of our country. We have to improve the quality of education in order to increase the welfare of each and every individual of this country."

 

Noting that working with a leader who gives education priority to education, namely President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a privilege, Minister Özer said that his participation in the ceremony reveals his approach to education.

 

Click for the full text of Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer's speech at the ceremony...