
Political Relations and Constitutional Violations in Education
The protocol signed between the Ministry of National Education (MEB) and the Ülkü Ocakları Education and Culture Foundation seriously threatens the impartiality and secularism of our education system. This protocol allows a political party to be active in the field of education, thus undermining the essence of public service. The principle of impartiality in education is guaranteed by the Constitution and laws. However, these recent developments disregard this guarantee. Education should not be under the influence of any political group.
The Rule of Law and the Principle of Impartiality
Article 2 of the Constitution defines the Republic of Türkiye as a constitutional state This principle requires that public services be provided in an impartial and fair manner. The Idealist Hearths, as an ideological structure with an organic bond with the Nationalist Movement Party, have gained privilege in education with this protocol. Education should be a neutral area and should not be under the influence of any ideological group.
Ministry of National Education’s Excess of Authority and Violation of the Constitution
According to the Presidential Decree, the Ministry of National Education does not have the authority to sign protocols with organizations that are not state institutions. In this case, the protocol signed with the Ülkü Ocakları Education and Culture Foundation shows that the Ministry of National Education exceeds its authority and violates the law. Such a protocol could lead to serious legal problems in our education system.
Violation of the Fundamental Law of National Education
Article 4 of the National Education Fundamental Law states that no person or group can be given privilege in education. However, the Ülkü Ocakları Education and Culture Foundation has been privileged with this protocol. It is against the law to provide public resources to an ideological foundation and undermines the impartiality of the Ministry of National Education.
Financing and Management Uncertainty
There is no clarity in the protocol about who will finance the courses. This situation contradicts Article 57 of the MEB Lifelong Learning Institutions Regulation. It is unlawful for the protocol to come into force while there are uncertainties about the financing and content of education.
Lack of Needs Analysis
The protocol did not include any needs analysis for the organization of courses. This situation is against Article 5 of the National Education Fundamental Law and the relevant regulations. Our education system should be managed based on concrete needs, not arbitrary decisions. This deficiency can lead to a decrease in quality in education and unnecessary waste of resources.
Non-Compliance with the Private Education Institutions Law
Ülkü Ocakları Education and Culture Foundation, as an organization that organizes courses under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education, should be subject to the Private Education Institutions Law No. 5580. The provisions of this law should be valid in the provision of educational services. However, these regulations, which are ignored by the protocol, can cause serious problems in our education system.
Students Become Vulnerable to Ideological Manipulation
Although the protocol states that the Ülkü Ocakları Education and Culture Foundation does not organize educational activities, the educational services offered on the foundation's website meet the definitions of Law No. 5580. Educational institutions should not only provide information, but also protect students from ideological manipulations. Such protocols threaten the safety of students.
Core Values of Public Education
Educational institutions are not the ideological playground of political parties or formations that are extensions of these parties. Education is a public service and should be carried out only by the Ministry of National Education. The Ministry of National Education should fulfill the responsibilities given to it by the Constitution by keeping education away from politics and ideology. Opening the doors of schools to ideological groups means destroying the fundamental values of public education.
The Ministry of National Education must immediately cancel such protocols and preserve the neutrality of our education system. Education cannot be turned into an ideological tool; students cannot be left to the influence of political groups. Education is the right of everyone and must be based on a scientific basis.