Presidential Spokesperson: Single-Gender Education Can Also Be Given

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Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has stated that mixed-gender education has still been in effect and added, "Besides mixed-gender education, single-gender education can also be provided."

Kalın made a statement for the press while the Presidency Cabinet Meeting chaired by President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was still continuing today (September 12).

Change in the regulation

The regulation stipulating that mixed-gender education be provided at multi-program Anatolian high-schools, vocational and technical training centers and occupational training centers was previously repealed.

After the change in regulation was reported in the news, the Ministry of Education stated that due to the suspension of the execution, the related article of the regulation was annulled, adding that mixed-gender education has not been abolished.

Kalın: Mixed-gender education has not been abolished

Responding to the questions of journalists regarding the issue, Presidential Spokesperson Kalın said,

"Such a thing is beside the point. Mixed-gender education is still continuing as it is. The abolishment of mixed-gender education is not the case."

Kalın also added that there is a decision which enables single-gender education in certain schools:

"No one forces parents to send their children to mixed-gender or single-gender schools, but we are offering alternatives. It is what a state is supposed to do.

"Mixed-gender education is still continuing. In addition to that, single-gender education can also be provided. It is based on voluntariness, which is the case for both the educational institutions and the parents sending their children to these institutions. Therefore, we are fulfilling a democratic duty here by diversifying the options."

* Photograph: Anadolu Agency

(BK/SD)