The Role of Education in Contemporary Society and Social Change

The Turkish Republic adopts free modern education in both K12 and higher education governed by the Ministry of Education. While this centralized model ensures uniformity in curriculum, teacher standards, and resource allocation; free model contribute to increased schooling rates, the one-type model limits local autonomy and adaptation. Contemporary learning models, global systems and digitalisation holds a significant place in education policies and practice, with certain drawbacks of inequity and segregation. Socioeconomic status and exam-oriented system hinders social mobility through education, with private and profit-based educational institutions complicating the issue. However, the globalization progress of Türkiye has been promising in both digitalization and student achievement. Türkiye has substantially improved PISA scores and is listed among the countries whose percentage of top performers is below the OECD average and whose percentage of low achievers is above the OECD average for performance. Turkish education also faces global challenges of climate crisis, equity, global citizenship, and human rights.