Requests for free meals, shuttle services and stationery in education are pending in the Parliament.

Today, while thousands of students are excited about starting the new academic year, many parents criticize the fact that the problems that have been going on in the field of education for years have not been resolved. Legislative proposals regarding the problems that parents expect solutions to continue to wait on the shelves of the Parliament. However, the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which worked overtime during the past summer due to the influence of the Framework Law regarding the new solution process, did not include many legislative proposals waiting on its shelves on its agenda.

For example; The legislative proposals made by almost all opposition parties regarding the free meals that many families are waiting for are waiting to be discussed in the Education Commission. In the bill proposed by CHP's Barış Bektaş, which has been waiting to be discussed since 2023, regarding the service fees, which is also a big problem for parents, it is suggested that free shuttle service be provided to students whose family's monthly income is below the poverty line.

THERE ARE ALSO OFFERS FOR TEACHERS

In the bill proposed by NEW Party member Ali Gökçek, which has been in the Parliament since November 2024, it is requested that free stationery materials be distributed to students in need. In a bill signed by İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu, it is envisaged that secondary school and high school students will receive awareness training during the summer periods to protect them against addiction risks. There are also legislative proposals for teachers in the Parliament, such as the recruitment of contracted and paid teachers and the abolition of the interview practice.

ACCORDING TO THE MINISTRY, 'WORK IS BEING DONE'

Just as these legislative proposals of the opposition are kept on the shelves of the Parliament, the questions they pose to the government on these issues are also ignored. Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, who answered the representatives' proposals regarding increasing scholarships for the new academic year during the summer term, limited himself to listing the current practices of the ministry.

Stating that the expenditures that reduce the education costs of parents correspond to approximately 40 percent of the ministry budget, excluding personnel expenses, Tekin said, "Our Ministry carries out scholarships, free boarding, bussed education, free textbooks, free lunches and other social support practices in order to support students' access to educational services regardless of their economic and social conditions and to strengthen equality of opportunity in education."

'EVALUATE' ANSWER TO THE FREE MEAL QUESTION

Tekin responded to the proposals regarding the problems of teachers working in private educational institutions, such as their personal rights, with answers such as "The wages of teachers in private schools may be higher than those of teachers in public schools, and there may also be teachers working for lower wages. Teachers' demands regarding wages are evaluated by our ministry."

Tekin, who was asked about the introduction of free meals in all schools, said, "Evaluations regarding the scope of the application are carried out within the framework of students' needs, existing infrastructure, budget opportunities, relevant legislation and inter-institutional cooperation processes." Tekin also responded to the motions asking for the abolition of the interview practice by saying, "Applications regarding teacher appointment processes are evaluated in line with the relevant legislation, judicial decisions, public personnel regime, labor law and the opinions of sector stakeholders."