Is the system changing in primary schools? '2+2 model' statement from Minister Tekin

Discussions about changing the classroom teaching system in primary schools remain on the agenda. In current practice, students are educated with the same classroom teacher from the 1st grade to the end of the 4th grade.

The "2+2 model" that is on the agenda envisages different classroom teachers working in the first two years and the last two years of primary school.

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin made statements on the subject at the meeting with journalists in Erzurum.

'IT IS NOT AN ISSUE WE HAVE DECIDED YET'

Answering the question about changing the four-year classroom teaching practice in primary schools, Tekin stated that different models for specialization in education have become widespread in the world.

Stating that there are demands in some schools for subject teachers to teach certain courses, Tekin said that they have received the opinions of the teachers.

Tekin used the following statements:

"There is an expectation of specialization. So we ask our teachers, 'What do you think about this?' we ask. It is not something we have decided or said we will do as of now. "We talked in a teacher's room and it became news from there."

'WE GET THE OPINIONS OF OUR TEACHERS'

Stating that students in the first two grades and the last two grades of primary school have different needs in terms of age groups, Tekin explained the evaluated model as follows:

"We said there, too, that primary school grades one and two are groups that are closer to each other in terms of age groups. Three and four are closer groups. Therefore, we ask the opinions of our teachers to see what they think about what it would be like if primary school teachers were divided into those who teach grades one and two and those who teach grades three and four."

'THERE IS NO CONCRETE STEP TAKEN BY THE MINISTRY'

Emphasizing that the model is still at the discussion stage, Tekin stated that workshops can be organized by the General Directorate of Basic Education if needed.

Tekin said, "This is still in the discussion stage. If necessary, our General Directorate of Basic Education will hold workshops on this issue. Maybe at the end of it, if the teacher friends do not want it, it will be abandoned. In other words, there is no concrete, mature or taken step from our Ministry regarding this issue at the moment, it is not something that can be done from today to tomorrow anyway."

WHAT IS THE '2+2 MODEL' IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS?

The model, evaluated according to the information reflected in the press, divides the four-year primary school education into two stages.

In the first stage, it is envisaged that students will complete grades 1 and 2 with the same teacher. In this period, it is aimed to focus on reading and writing, basic mathematics skills, adaptation to school and social development.

In the second stage, it is planned that students will continue their education with a different classroom teacher when they reach the 3rd grade. The aim of this period is to develop basic skills, deepen course contents and prepare students for the subject teaching system in secondary school.

However, no official decision has been made yet regarding the implementation of the model.