April 17, 2021
New CoHE Continues to Take Decisions for Egalitarian Higher Education
and Closes Doors of Exploitation for Social Justice and Equal
Opportunity
Success and Qualification Should Be the Only Sources of Privilege
As is known, students can continue their education in other higher
education institutions as “special students” “for a certain period of time”
voluntarily or due to compelling reasons. This method is correct and
important as it imparts the culture of different higher education
institutions to students and contributes to their personal development. In
addition, from time to time, it may not be possible for students to
continue their education in the same higher education institutions due to
subsequent health problems or the acts they are exposed to (batter,
violence, etc.). The status of special student is an important opportunity
for these students. However, the status of special student is an
exceptional method and is, in no way, “a method and door of exploitation
that could be used throughout the entire undergraduate education”.
Otherwise, the principles of social justice and equal opportunity would be
violated and the conscience of the community would be wounded as students
are placed according to their scores and success.
Social justice, equal opportunity and egalitarianism are principles
essential for the placement of all prospective students in higher education
age. We will prevent the circumvention of these principles. Unfortunately,
some students, who are placed in the programs of universities with lower
score requirements that are found in other provinces, can receive education
as “special students” in the same programs of the universities they could
not be placed because they did not get enough scores in the university
entrance exam. In other words, they have the opportunity to receive
education throughout their period of study at the universities they want to
study in their preferred provinces even though they did not acquire the
required level of success (they do not get their diplomas from these
universities). Regrettably, it is also possible to extend the scope of
these negative examples in our country to other countries. The fact that a
student, who could not be enrolled in a Turkish higher education
institution, receiving all of their education in a Turkish higher education
as a “special student” after enrolling in an overseas university do not
accord with the principles of social justice and equal opportunity. As can
be understood from these practices, the opportunity of the status of
special student has started to turn into a method of exploitation.
The period of study for the status of special student was limited to ensure
that this exceptional method, which is based on valid and humane reasons,
is used for its purpose. Besides, it was also stipulated that the period of
study could be extended in case students cannot be expected to continue
their education in their higher education institutions due to situations
such as health, assault and violence.
As the New CoHE, we attach importance to social justice and equal
opportunity. We demonstrate a strong will that turns into action in line
with this principle, and close the doors of exploitation one by one. We
will continue to take decisions in this direction. We are taking steps
towards "building an egalitarian higher education system where success and
qualification are the only privileges" for our youth.
There are more decisions to make.
Council of Higher Education