Turkey's Education Minister Yusuf Tekin rolls out arts‑focused teacher training and curriculum overhaul

Education Minister Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin announced a series of reforms under the Turkey Century Maarif Model aimed at embedding arts and practical skills into school curricula. The Ministry issued the "Ustalarla Tiyatro Eğitimi" program for teachers and staff, a four‑month, 120‑hour course covering theatre, camera work, vocal and movement training. Of roughly 1,500 applicants, 135 candidates completed the program and received certificates in a ceremony at the Ministry’s Başöğretmen Hall in Ankara.

The minister also highlighted a June professional‑development programme that will address digital addiction, family communication and school safety, and introduced the new Millî Eğitim Akademisi and its first entry‑exam (AGS) for teacher candidates. He stressed the creation of elective arts classes – requiring at least one weekly arts lesson – and the establishment of cultural initiatives such as the Maarif Orchestra and Folk‑Dance groups, as well as thematic restructuring of fine‑arts high schools.

In addition, Tekin participated in a "Huzur ve Kardeşlik" walk with teachers in Sakarya’s forest, promoting environmental literacy and well‑being as part of the holistic education approach. The combined actions reflect a shift from solely knowledge transmission toward skill‑based, culturally rooted learning for students across Turkey.