Support for Earthquake Victims: A Visit from the Minister of Education
Minister of Education Tekin paid a crucial visit to the Communication Center established to support earthquake victims in Erciş, following the devastating quake on October 23, 2011. This center has been operating under the Ministry of Education and employs around 150 staff members dedicated to providing essential support to the affected community.
During his visit, Minister Tekin received an update regarding the operations at the center from Yılmaz Güney, the Ministry of Education’s Press Advisor. After understanding the scope of work and challenges faced by the center, he personally engaged with the operations by attending to a phone call that was received.
Importance of Maintaining School Days
One significant discussion that arose during the visit revolved around the academic calendar. To a concerned caller who requested an early end to the school year, Tekin provided a thorough response:
“According to regulations, students are required to attend school for 180 business days each year. If we were to grant an early holiday, we would fail to meet this requirement. This would prevent students from making up certain lessons, making it impossible to implement such a change both legally and pedagogically. We simply cannot afford to lose any more time.”
Repercussions of an Early Holiday
Further elaborating on the negative ramifications of an early holiday, Minister Tekin expressed concerns about the academic progress of students:
“For instance, students currently in the 9th grade might miss finishing a particular unit this year. Next year, they will be in the 10th grade, carrying the incomplete work from the previous year. Alternatively, there are 8th graders who will graduate, moving to a new school without having completed their required coursework. Therefore, this idea of an early break is not a viable solution. Clearly, let’s emphasize once more, our holiday will conclude on the 4th day of Eid . After that, we will all be back in school together. Please give my regards to your family, and may your Eid festivities be blessed.”
Recognizing Communication Excellence
During his visit, Minister Tekin also took the opportunity to congratulate the communication center staff who recently won a gold medal in the “ Best Communication Center ” category of the Contact Center World competition—a prestigious global event recognized worldwide. The event included participants from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and the center’s achievement qualifies them to participate in the world finals, which will be held in Greece.
Tekin engaged in meaningful conversations with the employees at the call center, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. He was joined by notable figures such as Governor Ozan Balcı , Erciş District Governor Murat Karaloğlu, İl Milli Eğitim Müdürü Mehmet Nurettin Aras, AK Party Provincial Chairman Abdulahat Arvas, Chief Advisor to the President Gülşen Orhan, and other local officials, all of whom provided support during the visit.
The importance of the Ministry of Education’s role in providing structural and emotional support to communities affected by disasters cannot be understated. With dedicated personnel working tirelessly at the communication center, vital information and assistance are delivered effectively to the earthquake victims still navigating their recovery. The Minister’s visit serves as a reminder of the enduring commitment of the government to education and community well-being, even amidst challenging times.