European, Global and Intercultural Dimension in Curriculum Development
The goal of 12 years of compulsory education, which was implemented starting from the 2012–2013 academic year, is to raise Türkiye’s average level of education and to create opportunities and choices that will enable students to discover and develop their interests and talents. For this purpose, the updated Weekly Course Schedule for Primary and Secondary Schools includes 17 compulsory courses and a total of 30 elective courses under 3 areas: Human, Society and Science; Religion, Morals and Values; Culture, Arts and Sports, which students can choose according to their interests and abilities.
However, under the foreign language course, which is among the elective courses, the languages accepted by the Council of Ministers Decree are: English, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Russian, Chinese, etc.; and Adyghe (according to the Latin alphabet), Abaza, Kurdish, Laz, Georgian, Albanian and Bosnian under the “Living Languages and Dialects” course.
In addition, efforts are underway to teach students a foreign language at a level that will enable them to communicate both orally and in writing. A foreign language-oriented curriculum was developed for grades 6, 7 and 8 as well as grades 5. For grades 5 and 6, alternative support materials were prepared. Seven activity guidebooks, listening texts and audio files were prepared for grades 2-8 for the 4 basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) in English, totaling 70 fascicles and 1,642 pages. Illustrated English vocabulary cards consisting of 817 words in 34 themes were prepared for grades 2-8 in the field of English. Within the scope of Foreign Language Based Education, a total of 7 books consisting of thirty-six units for 5th graders and ten units for 6th graders, which can be used as two alternatives, were prepared.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Multiple Foreign Language Education Model is being implemented in 299 schools in 81 provinces, including the 5th and 6th grades of 32 pilot schools and the 5th grades of 268 newly included schools. The Multiple Foreign Language Education Model is included in MoNE’s strategic plan for 2024-2028 and is planned to be implemented gradually in grades 6, 7 and 8, starting from grade 5 in secondary school.
In addition, the name of the environmental education course offered in primary and secondary schools was changed to “environmental education and climate change”, taking into account the decisions of the Paris Climate Agreement, MoNE’s Strategic Plan, action plans of various institutions and organizations, and decisions of the council. Since the 2022-2023 academic year, the curriculum of the environmental education and climate change course has been taught as an elective course in secondary school grades 6, 7 or 8 for a total of 72 hours, 2 hours per week. In Vocational and Technical Secondary Education, each student who successfully completes his/her education within the scope of the Credit Transfer System in Vocational and Technical Education (MKTS) in line with the European Qualification Framework is issued a diploma, certificate of opening a workplace, certificate of mastery, certificate of journeyman, EUROPASS certificate supplement and a document showing the courses, modules and credits they have taken and achieved. Currently, education is provided in 53 fields and 114 branches in Anatolian Technical/Anatolian Vocational programs in Vocational and Technical Secondary Education, and in 39 fields and 193 branches in Vocational Education Center programs.
Partnerships and Networks
In Türkiye’s EU accession process, issues related to education are monitored within the framework of Chapter 26 on Education and Culture. The Introductory Screening Meeting on Chapter 26 on Education and Culture was held on October 26, 2005. The Detailed Screening Meeting was held on November 16, 2005. Türkiye’s level of alignment was found adequate in the framework of the End of Screening Report prepared by the Commission and approved by the Council. Although Türkiye submitted its Negotiating Position Paper on May 25, 2006, the chapter could not be opened for negotiations. Indeed, the Progress Reports published by the European Commission since 2006 generally indicate that Türkiye has made moderate progress in the field of education and culture. Türkiye participates in the Union Programs under the Education and Culture Chapter, which strengthen integration with the EU. In Türkiye, the European Union’s education and youth programs have been implemented by the Turkish National Agency since 2004.
In Türkiye’s EU accession process, issues related to education are monitored within the framework of Chapter 26 on Education and Culture. The Introductory Screening Meeting on Chapter 26 on Education and Culture was held on October 26, 2005. The Detailed Screening Meeting was held on November 16, 2005. Türkiye’s level of alignment was found adequate in the framework of the End of Screening Report prepared by the Commission and approved by the Council. Although Türkiye submitted its Negotiating Position Paper on May 25, 2006, the chapter could not be opened for negotiations. Indeed, the Progress Reports published by the European Commission since 2006 generally indicate that Türkiye has made moderate progress in the field of education and culture. Türkiye participates in the Union Programs under the Education and Culture Chapter, which strengthen integration with the EU. In Türkiye, the European Union’s education and youth programs have been implemented by the Turkish National Agency since 2004.
The International Sister School Practice was initiated in 1994 with the aim of contributing to the development of well-rounded individuals within the framework of international cooperation in education, the development of intercultural awareness and communication skills, and the adaptation of students and teachers to the multidimensional structure of global dynamics.