4th Istanbul Education Summit

December 09, 2024 Social justice and education were discussed at the 4th Istanbul Education Summit

The 2nd day of the summit, organized online by Turkish Maarif Foundation with the theme of "Education for a Fair and Equitable Society for a Sustainable Future", started with a panel titled "Social Justice and Education".The panel, moderated by Boğaziçi University Faculty of Education Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Macid Ayhan Melikoğlu, was attended by guests who are experts in their fields.Prof. Dr. Kerry John Kennedy, Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Academic Development Advisor at the Hong Kong University of Education, discussed the educational structure in Asia in terms of diversity, inclusion and equity in her speech at the panel.Stating that the issue of equality is handled differently in the university admission process in many countries in Asia, Kennedy emphasized that factors such as race, ethnicity, language, culture, gender and physical ability affect access to education.Kennedy said inclusivity is not seen as a very strong value in the Asian context, it needs to be transcended.Ethical responsibility in educationDr. Fella Lahmar, who has the title of Senior Member of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in the UK, also touched on the problems of equality, justice and ethics in education, stating that education creates identities, shapes cultures and builds futures.Lahmar pointed out that QS, THE, and PISA, which is part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which makes international rankings of countries and universities in education, often violate ethical outcomes.Pointing to the place of Israel's Technion University in the world rankings against the destruction of the education system in the Gaza Strip, Lahmar said that the global education matrices look at these educational achievements from a Eurocentric perspective.Lahmar noted that the Technion University is highly ranked in THE, and that its innovations have supported military operations in Gaza, been used in the loss of lives, colonization, and the destruction of heritage, culture and infrastructure.Stating that educational institutions in the Gaza Strip are ignored in these rankings, Lahmar emphasized that schools and universities have been destroyed in Gaza and hundreds of thousands of students do not have access to education.On the other hand, Dr. Lahmar said that the Technion University, which has directly contributed to the destruction in Gaza, has won achievements and awards for its research.Explaining that this situation shows the failure of the global education system, Lahmar said that the ratings of research institutions such as PISA, QS AND THE on education are made without taking ethical responsibility.Lahmar pointed out the need for an ethical approach to education globally and said, "Human dignity needs to be protected, we need to get rid of the colonial legacy, and ethical problems need to be considered."The importance of financial support for education in low-income countriesHarvard University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Robert Jenkins also touched on the issue of education and social justice and questioned what is taught in education and how it is taught.Stating that there are problems in accessing education at the global level, Jenkins said, "There has been an increase in the level of basic education in the last 50 years, but this has not led to equality of learning. In other words, we do not see a similar success at the learning level."Drawing attention to the difference between the budget allocated to education per child in low- and high-income countries, Jenkins noted that it is important to provide financial support to low-income countries in order to close this gap.- Young SessionAt the 4th Istanbul Education Summit, a panel titled "Shaping Tomorrow: How Young People Can Ensure Equality and Sustainability in Education" was held.The panel at the summit was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Umut from the Department of History at Boğaziçi University.In her speech at the panel, Dr. Ümmühan Zeynep Bilgili from Harvard University Medical School said that there is always hope in terms of equality and justice in education.Showing bird nests in his presentation in which he made use of visuals, Bilgili said, "Birds build nests using everything they can find. As you can see in the photo, sometimes they also use plastics. Even though the system has problems, we need to produce good things by using the resources we have."Bilgili continued his words as follows:"Equity in education is not just about providing the same materials; to be able to offer resources to the students there according to their needs. We can create systems that will solve problems after noticing students who are not thought about and noticed and seeing their needs. For example, if you have a cough problem, when you go to a doctor, our main goal should not be just to stop coughing. We have to think about what is its source and what is its cause. This is also the case in the classroom. Sometimes the problem isn't with the student; Perhaps the source of the problem lies in the presentations."Mentioning that people are trying to build the future with the opportunities they have, Bilgili said, "That's why we need to provide them with the necessary tools. Young people are already changing systems. But we have to give them the tools they need.""A value-based education model transforms not only students but also society"Yılmaz Acar, who was born and raised in Mardin and graduated from the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago, stated that education built on values will become an element that ensures sustainability and justice in society.Drawing attention to the importance of the value and morality-based education model, Acar said, "Any education program must be based on an ethical basis. It should contribute to the character development of students and create benefits for society. When we consider the issue of sustainability, it is not limited to the economy and the environment. It also includes issues of intergenerational equality and justice. While education systems contribute to the development of contemporary generations, they should also create a sense of responsibility for future generations."Acar continued his speech as follows:"Education is not limited to the classroom environment, it is an ongoing process within the community. Therefore, as I have seen in my experience, education is a successful education if it makes the individual a better person and benefits society. During the earthquakes in February 2023, my classmates and I went to the area to give support to local communities. We shared our meals with the people there, we stayed together under the same roof in freezing temperatures. This experience made me understand once again the meaning and value of education. Education is only meaningful when it creates positive change. A value-based education model transforms not only students, but also society.""Education is a priority and should be provided equally for all as a fundamental right"Bejda Torbani, a student at Samsun University Department of Biomedical Engineering, stated that young people play a critical role in the solution point in education and said, "Young people need to be ready for responsibility in order to make this contribution. It is imperative that they develop critical thinking skills, distinguish between good and bad, and be successful in expressing their own opinions. Because only in this way can we create a better education system."Referring to the importance of empathy rather than personal gains, Torbani said, "I remember, one day when I was helping my friends, my teacher saw me and gave me a medal. It was a reward for showing kindness, not for being successful. Education isn't always about winning; it's about how we treat other people. Just as important as empathy is self-confidence. If we don't love ourselves, if we don't embrace our own identity and roots, how can we love others?"Drawing attention to Palestinian children who do not have access to education, Torbani said:"Think of the Palestinian children; Instead of enjoying learning in the classroom, they live in fear. However, we stand here as representatives of the dreams of young people. We are here to show that education is a right, not a privilege. Education is a priority and should be provided equally for all as a fundamental right. Education is not something that is only taught in the classroom. It transcends borders, unites cultures, and prepares individuals for the future. By working together, we can make education more equitable and accessible.""Eliminating barriers is the basis of an equal education system"Ahmed Elkahlout, a 16-year-old student of Kartal Anatolian Imam Hatip High School of Palestinian origin, who was the latest participant of the summit, said, "In front of the eyes of the world, people living in places like Gaza are constantly prevented from leading a normal life. As young people, we know very well what it means to lose our future. Unfortunately, this situation is not limited to Gaza; As a global problem, it affects the fate of all of us."Stating that everyone should have access to information in order to reduce inequality in education, Elkahlout concluded his words as follows:"Eliminating barriers such as the climate crisis, injustice and systemic discrimination is the foundation of an equal education system. A system in which every individual has equal rights in education both contributes to the development of students and supports social development. Education must adapt to the future, not just by habits from the past, but by addressing current issues such as technological developments and climate change. Otherwise, inequalities in education will deepen rather than decrease."- III. PanelAt the 4th Istanbul Education Summit, which was held online, a panel titled "New and Sustainable School Culture" was held.The moderator of the panel at the summit was Prof. Dr. Hayati Akyol from Gazi University Faculty of Education.In her presentation at the panel, Dr. Claire Alkouatli from the University of South Australia sought answers to questions such as "Who is a person, what goals should they have, how can they work for the desired person?"Emphasizing the importance of the role of the educator in society, Alkouatli said that diversity and inclusion would not be possible without the educator.Stating that the educator is not just teachers, principals and vice-principals within the four walls of the school, Alkouatli pointed out the educational roles of the environment and the community.Pointing out that with the industrial revolution in the West, the focus was on the cognitive side of education, Alkouatli said, "Love and closeness are at the center of all mental development. Children who have good communication with an adult grow up better. Every child needs an adult who is attached to them and a good friend."Alkouatli stated that it is necessary to incorporate love into the educational environment.New learning spaces that are interactive, barrier-free and wall-freeProf. Dr. Takaharu Tezuka from Tokyo City University emphasized that the school is an area where information needs to be given, so it is important to bring it into a format that can share information.Takaharu said that they have built schools of various designs in many countries of the world within the scope of new education concepts, and that they focus on new learning areas without barriers and walls.Takaharu stated that they created an interactive environment for all school students as there was no wall between the classrooms, and noted that the children moved as they wished and he was happy about it.Author, educator and entrepreneur Dr. Sabba Quidwai also underlined the importance of using artificial intelligence in the service of a sustainably oriented society.Explaining that it is necessary to go beyond the borders in the education process, Quidwai stated that people can get out of their own borders by empathizing with others.Quidwai emphasized the need to change methods in the education process and the importance of using artificial intelligence in schools."Artificial intelligence and learning"On the second day of the summit, the topic of "artificial intelligence and learning" was discussed. The keynote speaker of the event, Prof. Dr. Mutlu Çukurova, who works in the field of learning and artificial intelligence at University College London, said that there have been great developments thanks to the creative technology GPTs.Pointing out that artificial intelligence models are very successful in content production, Çukurova said, "Artificial intelligence communicates with people using natural language processing systems, hundreds of voices and pictures."Prof. Dr. Çukurova stated that students' learning about artificial intelligence is seen as a strategic investment and said, "The use of artificial intelligence in education increases manpower. Artificial intelligence can be seen as a force that will eliminate discrimination in the education system. Everyone, especially policy makers, educators, and scientists, can use artificial intelligence to achieve this vision.""Moral and traditional values should be strengthened"Çukurova pointed out that artificial intelligence has started to outsource tasks that were once done only by humans, and noted that while this development gives happiness on the one hand, it brings some questions on the other.Pointing out that it is necessary to protect the main points of humanity in the face of artificial intelligence, Prof. Dr. Çukurova said, "We need to further strengthen our empathy capacity and moral and traditional values at the point of using artificial intelligence."Emphasizing that artificial intelligence does not think like humans, Prof. Dr. Çukurova said:"AI doesn't process emotions or make a moral assessment. Artificial intelligence does not become a smarter person. Artificial intelligence is a designed consciousness. Being able to examine data is also related to making a perception within certain parameters. In addition, we have to say that artificial intelligence does not have any knowledge about which problem it solves, and it does not have a great perception of ethical and moral values.""Humans can do so many things that AI can't"Noting that human intelligence is an emotional intelligence, Prof. Dr. Çukurova said, "People can do many things that artificial intelligence still cannot do at the moment. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, is much better than humans in some subjects. However, we cannot say that artificial intelligence is smarter than humans. The biggest difference between human consciousness and artificial intelligence is that artificial intelligence makes educational processes more comfortable and easy. Artificial intelligence can create a contextual system and enhance human development from an educational point of view. Artificial intelligence can help people change their mindset and increase human perception."- Closing ceremony and awardsAt the 4th Istanbul Education Summit, problems in the field of education were discussed and the critical role of education for a sustainable future was emphasized. In her closing speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Arkan, Member of the Board of Trustees of Turkish Maarif Foundation and Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Istanbul Education Summit, stated that they aim to be a catalyst for education to create more inclusive and fair communities.Arkan said that during the two-day summit, problems in the field of education were discussed and it was emphasized that education plays a critical role for a sustainable future.Pointing out that the discussions at the summit focused on the transformative power of education, Arkan said, "We want the transformative power of education to act as a catalyst for the creation of more inclusive, resilient and strong communities. In this way, we continue to paint a picture of a more balanced and fairer education process. We continue on our way to solve problems together by providing an education based on a better dialogue and mutual exchange of ideas."Stating that they will prepare for next year's summit with newer educational approaches with the ties established at the summit and the energy that emerged, Arkan said, "We are trying to create a brighter and fairer future together. We want to move towards our goals with a renewed energy."At the closing of the summit, the "Good Example Awards", which are given with the aim of highlighting and supporting exemplary and innovative practices carried out by teachers and students in Turkish Maarif Foundation schools, were presented to their owners.With the participation of students and teachers from International Maarif Schools, this year's 5th edition was held with the theme of "My Country", with the participation of 612 works from 32 countries. The works that were deemed worthy of awards in the International Maarif Photography Contest were announced....

December 07, 2024 The 4th Istanbul Education Summit Has Started

The Istanbul Education Summit, organized by Turkish Maarif Foundation and the meeting point of representatives of institutions and experts in their fields known for their international studies and contributions in the field of education, started online this year on 6-7 December 2024 with the theme of "Education for a Fair and Equitable Society for a Sustainable Future." The summit brings together participants from all over the world to share global experiences.Within the scope of the program, in addition to the high-level session to be attended by education ministers from different countries, panels will be held on the topics of "Social Justice and Education", "New and Sustainable School Culture", and "Rethinking the Relations between State and Education". During the summit, "Good Practices in Education" organized by Maarif Schools around the world and 5. The International Maarif Photography Contest will also be presented.At the 4th Istanbul Education Summit held online, President Erdoğan's message was read.In his message, Erdoğan wished the summit to be beneficial and continued as follows:"I believe that successful results will be obtained from this year's summit, where determinations about the inequalities faced by students in many countries of the world will be included, as well as issues such as education and government, education and social justice will be discussed. As of this year, our country, which provides education to 338 thousand 161 international students at its universities, is among the top 10 in the world ranking with this quota, which represents 4.76 percent of the higher education capacity. Our Turkish Maarif Foundation is also making an intense effort to convey our country's rich, prosperous and deep-rooted experience in the field of education to all over the world. Turkish Maarif Foundation, which operates in 55 countries with 446 schools, 1 university, 19 education centers, 11 Turkish Studies Centers and 44 dormitories, provides services to more than 50 thousand students in total."Emphasizing that the foundation successfully implements international education methods along with the local curriculum in these educational institutions, Erdoğan noted that the foundation serves to raise virtuous and qualified people on the one hand, and contributes to the development of communication between societies on the other.Stating that they have given the necessary support to the foundation, whose work they follow with appreciation and are proud of their achievements, and that they will continue to do so in the future, Erdoğan said, "I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate all our foundation members who serve selflessly in 55 different countries of the world, from Kosovo to Colombia, from Jordan to Pakistan, from South Africa to Azerbaijan, from Afghanistan to Somalia. On behalf of my country and nation, I would like to thank each and every one of our teachers, administrators and foundation employees who proudly wave the flag of education in Türkiye, often taking many risks and dangers under difficult conditions."Wishing the summit to be successful, Erdoğan congratulated the institutions that contributed to this important summit, especially Turkish Maarif Foundation. Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin sent a video message to the Summit.Emphasizing that the summit has a great meaning in terms of addressing the transformative power of education in achieving social justice and sustainability goals, Tekin noted that the theme of the summit will reveal an important perspective to find solutions to the most fundamental problems facing humanity today.Tekin stated that he believes that the summit will create a consultation ground that will guide the search for solutions to the common problems of humanity, deepen an understanding of education on the axis of equality and justice, and demonstrate an important will to build a sustainable future, and that he believes that the acquis that will arise from these consultations will guide global education policies and at the same time contribute to further strengthening the nation's vision of education in the international arena Said.Pointing out that Turkish Maarif Foundation is one of the most important institutions that carry Türkiye's rich experience in the field of education to the international community, Minister Tekin said, "Today, our foundation, which provides services to more than 50 thousand students in 52 countries, implements a model that guides global education policies by focusing on local values. Turkish Maarif Foundation acts with an educational philosophy that respects local cultures and values in the countries where it operates, and carries our country's understanding of education based on peace, justice and equality to the whole world. These efforts not only ensure equality of opportunity in education, but also serve to shape a civilization vision on the axis of justice and wisdom by building bridges between civilizations.""Education improves individuals' sense of rights and responsibilities"Underlining that civilizations will rise not only with material achievements, but also with the spiritual values, understanding of justice and ancient wisdom about humanity that surround these achievements, Tekin said that education is the most powerful tool that carries this wisdom to social life, prepares individuals for the future and shapes the destiny of societies, but that the ability of this tool to create a true transformation depends on being built on the principles of justice and equality.In this context, Tekin stated that the theme of " Education for a Fair and Equitable Society for a Sustainable Future" offers a valuable ground to understand the transformative power of education that rebuilds the social fabric and to establish a fairer order, and said, "While justice refers to a rights-based order that protects human dignity; Equality ensures that every individual gets an equitable share of this order. Education, on the other hand, improves the awareness of rights and responsibilities of individuals, makes it possible to internalize values that prioritize social benefit and to find a place for these values in all areas of life.""Our Maarif Model deals with education with the vision of civilization"Minister of National Education Tekin stated the following in his speech:"Türkiye, with its rich civilization accumulation, aims to lead the construction of a more just and sustainable future by taking education beyond being a development tool. The Turkish Century Maarif Model is one of the most important steps towards the realization of this vision. Our Maarif Model considers education with a vision of a civilization that feeds on the wisdom of the past and directs the needs of the future. Our aim is to educate our children not only as individuals equipped with knowledge; to raise them as individuals who are equipped with the wisdom of the truth, kneaded with a sense of responsibility and with an understanding based on social benefit. In line with this purpose, our priority is to enable our children to discover their own potential and to build an educational culture that will transform this potential into a value production on behalf of humanity. Hopefully, our Maarif Model will continue to be the guide of this understanding that shapes a sustainable future on the axis of justice and equality."Tekin expressed his belief that the 4th Istanbul Education Summit will guide efforts to build a more equal and fair society through education, and thanked Turkish Maarif Foundation, academics and experts who contributed to the realization of the summit.Opening speech by Prof. Dr. Birol AkgünSpeaking at the opening of the summit, Turkish Maarif Foundation President Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün stated that the main theme of the summit can be a powerful tool to promote education, justice, equality, compassion and global peace.Pointing to the genocide in Gaza, Akgün said that they are deeply saddened and condemn the violence and injustice as an institution with a mission to benefit humanity through education."We unequivocally condemn violence and injustice, especially against children and the most vulnerable groups. We believe that education has the power to create empathy, understanding, and hope for peace. It is our sincere wish to see peace in every corner of the world."Stating that the summit provides a platform to address the problems in education, Akgün explained that they organized the summit with the theme of "New Trends and Transformation in Education" in 2021, "The Future of Schools: Post-Pandemic Education Needs" in 2022, and "Managing Change in Education" last year, and that this year they focused on how education can be one of the cornerstones of building fair and sustainable societies.Stating that artificial intelligence courses are given to students in 7 schools of the Maarif Foundation, which is the pioneer of innovation, and that students are equipped with the skills necessary to be successful in the digitalizing world, Akgün said, "The world is changing rapidly. From technological revolutions to environmental crises and growing inequalities, education must adapt to meet these challenges. But as we innovate, we must ensure that compassion, empathy and collective virtue remain at the heart of our educational efforts.""We are proud to teach Turkish in our schools"Talking about the purpose of the Turkish Maarif Foundation, Akgün said:"With more than 450 schools in more than 50 countries, we aim to raise individuals who represent academic excellence and moral integrity. We aim to raise young people who have 21st century skills and are determined to build a more peaceful, just and wiser world. We are proud to teach Turkish in our schools. We see it not as an attempt to exert influence, but as a bridge for cultural understanding and dialogue. Through Turkish language teaching, we aim to promote mutual respect, friendship and valuing cultural diversity in a globalized world."Emphasizing that the 4th Istanbul Education Summit will have a worldwide impact, Akgün said, "We aim to develop practical solutions that will create a worldwide impact with dynamic discussions and sessions to be held at this summit. Whether it's addressing the role of the state in education, exploring social justice, or rethinking school cultures, this summit offers an opportunity to create meaningful change."The summit, to which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a written message and Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin sent a video message, continues with sessions after the opening speeches.The current state and future of education in the world will be discussedOrganized for the 4th time this year by Turkish Maarif Foundation with the theme of "Education for a Fair and Equitable Society for a Sustainable Future", the Istanbul Education Summit brings together the world's leading education experts, practitioners and academics under the leadership of Türkiye.The summit, which has become an international platform for discussions on future educational perspectives, institutional approaches and education-related practices, will make evaluations based on scientific and academic data on both the current situation and the future of education in the world.The summit aims to be the meeting point of education ministers from different countries, institutions and individuals known for their international work and contributions in the field of education.Continues with high-level sessionIn the high-level session of the summit, moderated by TMF President Prof. Dr. Akgün, Minister of Education and Science of North Macedonia Prof. Dr. Vesna Janevska, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia Abdul Muti and Minister of Education of Liberia Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah delivered speeches.Minister of Education and Science of North Macedonia Prof. Dr. Janevska noted that they have a country with natural beauties, but they have difficulty in creating commercial activities that can provide high national income, and said, "Therefore, one of the things we need here is to invest in the creativity and innovation of our citizens."Referring to the changes made in the education system in North Macedonia, Janevska said that they are working to optimize the tools used in this field by improving the educational infrastructure and ensuring that their curricula are of high quality and competitive at international standards.Janevska stated that they received support from the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and Türkiye for such studies and said, "We would like to thank the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). Because (TİKA) is one of the institutions that has given the most support to the educational institutions of North Macedonia over the years."Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Muti stated that they are working in the field of education in order to be successful within the framework of global standards and said, "We are working to protect our cultural and linguistic heritage in Indonesia and to strengthen global ties."Stating that education is not only about academic success, but also supports the education of students as a character, Muti said, "One of the main initiatives at this point is to give healthy and nutritious meals to children. As we said, we need to work to ensure that the physical and emotional growth of children is healthy."Muti noted that they attach importance to the quality of education in their country and that it is up to educators to provide this, and that they are trying to create more qualified personnel with certification programs.Liberian Minister of Education Jallah underlined that millions of children around the world do not have access to education due to poverty and systemic injustice and said, "As partners here, ensuring universal access to education should be one of our top priorities."Stating that education curricula should be organized in a way that is inclusive and protects social values, Jallah said, "We are experiencing an unprecedented climate crisis in the past years. In this sense, education can provide young minds with the necessary training and cognitive tools, transforming them into qualified and competent people to solve global problems."Jallah stated that the idea of a sustainable future is not possible without education and called for investment in education in poor areas where it is needed.Emphasis on "new values and adaptive vision" at the SummitOn the first day of the summit, Falk, Professor of International Law and Practice at Princeton University, was the keynote speaker.Pointing out the importance of the theme of the summit in raising future generations against socioeconomic, cultural and ecological threats, Falk emphasized the need for "new values and adaptive visions of living in an ecologically resilient and ethically satisfying way" all over the world.Describing the current education system as a framework that requires adjustments to be made to ensure that the issue of sustainability is embedded in the values of an egalitarian society, and that every young person should be educated to be more sensitive to the educational experience, Falk stated that the new education priority is to "teach skills and understandings appropriate for the digital age"."Education shapes minds, transforms societies, and helps discover pathways to a sustainable, just, and peaceful future," Falk said, noting that educators must be committed to making education a tool for justice, equity, and sustainability, and nurturing a sense of integrity.Emphasizing the importance of ideal education to contribute to the shaping of public policies and to prepare students for active social roles, Falk noted that the new generation should not be in the position of "passive spectators" in the face of developments and challenges that threaten the future.Falk said that developing technologies create educational adaptations that will meet the needs of the new order based on science and knowledge, and for this reason, ensuring that students reach digital literacy is one of the important points that educators should pay attention to.Falk said the existence of an equity component in an effective ecological adaptation policy is "vitally important".Drawing attention to the importance of "othering" in society as well as equality and integrity, Falk stated that "hostile othering can be linked to war, both internationally and in domestic affairs."Gaza message at the summit"We are living in a time when Israel is committing genocide against all 2.3 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip," Falk said, adding that the genocide continues and has spread beyond Gaza's borders.Stating that the United Nations (UN) "cannot or does not want to stop this genocide", Falk pointed out that "some western countries, especially the United States, refuse to put pressure on Israel and provide financial or military assistance"."It is a reminder that the clash of civilizations is part of a historical present, such as Myanmar and Sudan, where the dehumanization of the other leads to genocidal policies, often intertwined with material ambitions for land and resources, culminating in examples of genocide at the most extreme points," Falk said.The Summit continues with PanelsThe moderator of the 1st panel at the summit was Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakan Karataş, Faculty Member of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Istanbul Medeniyet University.Dr. Mamphono Khaketla, former Minister of Education and Training of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Amita Chudgar, Professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University, and Fatos Tarifa, President of the Albanian Academy of Sciences and Arts, spoke at the panel.Dr. Khaketla said that there has been a connection between the state and the church in the field of education for more than 200 years in his country, adding that about 86 percent of the schools belong to the church.Noting that the state determines the curriculum and provides funding to schools in Lesotho, Khaketla said that one of the latest developments in the field of education in his country is the opening of private schools.Emphasizing that the state can shape education policies in line with the needs of the private sector, such as engineers or scientists, Khaketla said, "There should be more dialogue between the government and the private sector.""The role of the state can change at different levels of education"Chudgar, Professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University, said that they are in a complex age where societies are changing rapidly, and that there are serious debates about the responsibilities of the state in this field because education is a public good.Stating that one of the roles of the state is to ensure that all its citizens have access to education, Chudgar said, "The role of the state can change at different levels of education such as pre-school, primary and higher education."Emphasizing that the government also plays a major role in financing education, Chudgar said, "Besides the governments, parents spend a lot of money on their children's education. In an average country, families cover about 25 percent of the money spent on education, and this rate rises to about 45 percent in developing and undeveloped countries.""Education is mentioned in the constitution of every state"Tarifa, President of the Albanian Academy of Sciences and Arts, noted that the relationship between the state and education has been discussed for more than 2 thousand years and said, "We agree that education is a fundamental element. For the economic and social well-being of every community, (education) must be maintained in a quality manner," he said.Stating that it is difficult to answer questions such as the state's control over schools and who should determine the curriculum, Tarifa said, "One thing is certain: Education is an important element, especially not only for individuals, but also for all societies and all civilizations. That's why education is mentioned in the constitution of every state."Underlining that there are many parties affected by decisions in the field of education, such as students, parents, education experts and the state, Tarifa stated that these decisions cannot be left to teachers or schools alone."As far as I know, there is no state that has completely left the responsibilities of education to teachers and schools. The state has always been active in regulating actions related to education," he said.School Administrator SessionThe first day of the summit ended with the School Administrator Session held with the theme of "Leading Schools to Equality: The Role of School Administrators in Shaping Fair and Inclusive Education". Dr. Zerfishan Adnan from Pakistan, Dr. Nsaghah Samuel Siben from Cameroon, Khaldiya Mustafa from the USA, Naoufel Nechi from Tunisia and Lidra Meidani from Albania participated in the session and shared their experiences in the field of education.At the summit, which will end tomorrow, panels titled "Rethinking the Relations Between State and Education", "Leading Schools to Equality: The Role of School Administrators in Shaping Fair and Inclusive Education", "Social Justice and Education", "Shaping Tomorrow: How Young People Can Ensure Equality and Sustainability in Education" and "New and Sustainable School Culture" will be held....

December 05, 2024 Watch 4th Istanbul Education Summit Live

First DayOrganized by Turkish Maarif Foundation, the Istanbul Education Summit, which is a meeting point for representatives of institutions and experts in the field, known for their international work and contributions in the field of education, will be held online this year on 6-7 December 2024 with the theme “Education for a Fair and Equitable Society for a Sustainable Future.” The Summit will bring together participants from around the world to share global experiences.Within the scope of the program, in addition to the high-level session with the participation of ministers of education from different countries, panels will be held on the topics of “Social Justice and Education”, “New and Sustainable School Culture”, “Rethinking Relations between State and Education”. During the summit, “Good Examples in Education” and the 5th International Maarif Photography Contest organized by Maarif Schools around the world will also be presented.Our program will be honored by the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with his speeches on the Istanbul Education Summit, followed by the speeches of the Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin and the President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün....