'Turkey plans to reopen schools in mid-February'

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

Click to read the article in Turkish

Turkey's Minister of National Education Ziya Selçuk answered the questions of journalists Hakan Çelik and Göksu Öngören Özgür on CNNTurk yesterday (January 17). According to the announcement of the Minister, Turkey has been planning to reopen schools on February 15, 2021.

CLICK - Education Ministry postpones face-to-face exams

Amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, students had been receiving distance education via the Education Information Network (EBA) distance learning system introduced by the Ministry.

After partially reopening schools in late September, Turkey resumed its distance learning education system as of November 20 until January 4.

Amid the increasing number of cases and fatalities, the Ministry announced in December that the face-to-face exams in primary, secondary and high schools scheduled for early January would not not be held.

CLICK - Schools reopen for preschoolers and first graders

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), in his latest statement about the issue, Minister Selçuk said yesterday, "We have made a policy decision on reopening schools as of February 15."

The Minister of National Education has also noted that the decision on possible scenarios of school reopening will be decided and shared with the public 10 days before the scheduled reopening date.

Pointing out that the decision will be taken in line with instructions from the Ministry of Health's Coronavirus Science Board, Selçuk has indicated that it has not yet been possible to reopen all classes at once not only in Turkey but also in many countries around the world due to the pandemic.

Minister Selçuk has advised children to "stay away from online platforms and focus on physical activities" during the holidays.

Booklets on activities that can be done during the holiday term have been prepared, he has said, adding that they will be available mostly online and some in printed form towards the end of next week. (RT/SD)