MEB’s closure of Student Councils in 2019

– Yes, first of all, you may ask why are you telling me about the 2019 incident. I talked to a foreign friend of mine online about this incident a few days ago and he told me that he was a student council member and how good it was. "Why isn’t it available in Turkey?" When I researched with the question, I saw that while the Ministry of Education had been working with the councils until 2013, it suddenly cut off support for student councils by signing a joint protocol with the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which was a warning of the disgrace to come.

After this incident, it was completely closed in 2019. In some places at the time "ATTACK ON STUDENT ORGANIZATION" yada "STUDENTS’ FREEDOM IS RESTRICTION" Even though there were reactions like this (cf. www.evrensel.net/haber/378875/meb-turkiye-ogrenci-meclisi-calismalarini-iptal-etti) remained futile and the decision has not changed.

For those who ask the question “What is a student council?”, let’s give a brief summary and talk about its benefits for students.

The school student council exists to help students adapt to the school, contribute to the school, and solve the school’s environmental and student problems.

The council is divided into 5: •President (responsible for selecting members and administration-student communication)

•Vice President (Assisting the President and taking charge in his absence)

•Treasurer(Financial affairs officer)

•Register (Responsible for recording the decisions made in the student council meeting)

•Members (2 members) (They are responsible for attending the Council regularly, informing the students about their requests and problems, and assisting with the Council’s duties.

The benefits are: -Students gain experience by taking on a role in management -Students can discuss their problems respectfully and in a proper manner -Students take a more active role in events such as ceremonies, festivals, etc. -Students develop their self-confidence -Administration reduces management pressure -Students intervene in their problems one-on-one -Students gain autonomy by choosing the person who will manage them -Work is carried out to improve the school And many more examples can be given.

In short, one of our freedoms has been taken away from us without being noticed. This system is used effectively in most European countries. When I ask the adults around me, almost no one is aware of this situation. I am both sorry and sorry for exposing a disgrace in our country.

Have a nice day.

REFERENCES: -haydarakin.meb.k12.tr/contents/okul-ogrenci-meclisi_1401367.hhtml –www.evrensel.net/haber/378875/meb-turkiye-ogrenci-meclisi-calismalarini-iptal-etti

NOTE: In addition, some provinces have been re-entered into the project scope regionally -eyupsultan.meb.gov.tr/www/istanbul-ogrenci-meclisleri/icerik/1618