Deputy Minister Yelkenci: ‘We aim to address the individual in all aspects with our educational understanding and curriculum’

Deputy Minister of National Education, Omer Faruk Yelkenci, speaking at the Turkey Century Education Model Summer Writing Workshops Introduction Meeting and Philosophy Seminar held in Istanbul, stated, ‘We aim to approach human beings in all aspects with our educational understanding and curriculum. As we will see in the student profile, when we act based on this philosophy, we aim to educate competent and virtuous individuals with skills and values.’ The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education organized the Turkey Century Education Model Summer Writing Workshops Introduction Meeting and Philosophy Seminar at Istanbul University Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Congress and Culture Center. The program was attended by Deputy Minister of National Education Omer Faruk Yelkenci, Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Murat Mucahit Yentur, Istanbul University Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bulent Zulfikar, and many teachers. The seminar, held on June 25, 2024, in Istanbul, aimed to introduce the basic philosophy and approaches of the Turkey Century Education Model. The program was organized to inform students and educators about educational philosophy and its applications. The program highlighted Turkey’s innovative approaches in education and recent developments in national education. The program started with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by opening speeches and a group photo. Speaking at the program, Deputy Minister of National Education Omer Faruk Yelkenci said, ‘A generation capable of critical thinking, questioning, researching, and being responsible. We want to talk about generations that not only adapt to civilization but also establish and develop civilization. By focusing on human beings, we aim to prioritize the intellectual, social, and spiritual development of individuals. We consider nurturing individuals who shape society and their country as a moral responsibility, aiming for personalities who preserve our national and spiritual values while embracing humanitarian values. We believe that education processes need to be enriched. Therefore, we believe that interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches should also be utilized. We aim for a generation that has balanced hearts, minds, and tastes, upon which our civilization is built. We desire to approach human beings in all aspects of development with our educational understanding and curriculum. As we will see in the student profile, when we act based on this philosophy, we aim to educate competent and virtuous individuals with skills and values. We say let’s educate generations that are inquisitive yet compassionate, productive yet ethical, determined yet with aesthetic concerns.’