Breaking: Ministry of National Education Announces School Opening Date! According to the latest statement from the Ministry of National Education, the opening date for schools has been confirmed. In a circular sent to all schools across all 81 provinces, the Ministry informed students and parents anxiously awaiting the news about the start of the 2020–2021 academic year. Per the directive issued to provincial education directorates, the 2020–2021 school year will begin on Monday, August 31, 2020. The circular also states that schools will close for the academic year on Friday, June 18, 2021.
2020–2021 School Year Term Breaks Announced
The term and semester break schedule for the 2020–2021 school year has also been announced. With the school year starting on Monday, August 31, 2020 and ending on Friday, June 18, 2021, important additional dates have been set for mid-term breaks and the winter break. The first term mid-term break is scheduled for November 16–20, 2020, while the winter (half-term) break will take place from January 25 to February 5, 2021. The second term mid-term break is planned for April 12–16, 2021.
Minister of National Education Ziya Selçuk has previously addressed the issue, noting that during this period work will focus on helping students adapt to school, providing psychosocial support, and assessing the learning gains achieved during remote education as well as students’ academic needs. Minister Selçuk emphasized that efforts will prioritize catching up on core subjects, and that remedial and support courses will continue throughout the year to assist students in reaching required levels.
Remedial Education to Continue Throughout the Year
Remedial education will continue throughout the year. Cengiz Mete, Director General of Secondary Education at the Ministry, explained that decisions are being made based on data to ensure the education process proceeds healthily, and that the Ministry is preparing contingency plans that will not disrupt learning. He confirmed that classes will resume on Monday, August 31, 2020, and that intensive remedial instruction will take place mainly during the first three weeks of the first term, with continued support offered through remedial and enrichment courses across the rest of the school year.
Mete highlighted that remedial education is one of the most important issues to be addressed. Discussing how these catch-up programs will be delivered, he said the Ministry is working on different scenarios. Based on the research conducted, evaluations with provincial directors, and recommendations from the Science Board, they are implementing alternatives that take changing conditions into account.