Minister of National Education said during his speech at the "Past, Present and Future of Teacher Training" panel that human kind is a blessed creature and education is the road map of understanding the being and value of people. Selçuk went on to say, "It is a major duty of teachers to enlighten the path, show the direction, give strength and enlighten the future of children."

 

Noting that there are elements that made this duty sacred, Selçuk stated that most of important of these elements are acting with love and compassion while teaching.

 

Selçuk emphasized the importance of teachers who are raising students by touching their lives and added: "Raising a student has a totally different point of view, mission and responsibility. We are honored to assume this responsibility and reinterpret our duty by recognizing our duty on the occasion of Teachers Day. It is also our duty to improve our profession, protect the reputation of our profession on such a day. We have been carrying out this mission actually for the last 200 years in this country in order to serve our country."

 

Pointing out that Head Master Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had considered the Gazi University, Faculty of Education as one of the main stones in the construction of the future of Turkey, Selçuk said, "Being aware of the fact that the real victory is the work of educated people, Head Master Atatürk knew the importance of education and training in the establishment of education system that could respond to the needs of the society and took important steps in this regard."

 

Selçuk stgressed that the education movement that began with the establishment of the Republic aimed at founding a national and innovative education system in order to increase the education level of people and raising new generations in the light of the values of the new Republic. "This goal was planned during the War of Independence and discussed during the meetings. Dreams and visions shared during this construction period had determined the history of education. Reconstruction of education in the Republic Era is a very special story. During this period, not only our teachers in the country but also Turkish academicians who were sent abroad added value and knowledge to our education system. At those times, the Ministry of National Education showed special attention to different branches varying from assessment and evaluation to foreign language education, from music education to sports education," he said.

 

Selçuk underlined the importance of cooperation between his Ministry and the Faculties of Education and said the Ministry always supports all kinds of activities that aim at increasing the quality of education.

 

Noting that the Ministry is cooerating with the Gazi University for the development of training and the education processes at schools, Selçuk added that the Ministry will continue to cooperate in similar cooperation projects with the university.

 

Selçuk said, "As you know, education is related to consensus, it serves the common interests of the public. It is a national duty. Due to this reason, education is serving the children of this country without any discrimination or favoritism. We are all sailing on the same boat. We owe to this country and this will never end. I believe that if we act together, we will manage to carry the children of this country to the level where they can tall and compete with their peers in the world."

 

Meanwhile, Gazi University Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız congratulated the teachers on the occasion of the November 24 Teachers Day.

 

Stressing the importance of role of teachers in raising new generations loyal to national and moral values, Yıldız said teachers should do their jobs with an idealist spirit.

 

Deputy Minister of National Education Mustafa Safran, Director General for Teacher Training and Improvement Adnan Boyacı and academicians were among the other participants of the event.