It is planned to organize the opening of 20th National Education Council which is expected to take advisory decisions about education and training in an effort to improve and raise the quality of the national education system in December at the Presidential Complex with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Main theme will be "equal opportunity in education"

Main theme of the largely participating council which will be chaired by the Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer will be "equal opportunity in education." It is planned to establish three main special expertise commissions namely "equal opportunity in basic education", "reinforcement of vocational education" and "professional improvement of teachers".

During the preparation process of the council, different working groups varying from preschool education to university entrance system were formed. Participants from all cities of the country were elected in order to increase the representation in the council and 26 different regional reports were prepared. These reports were sent in advance to council members.

Head and members of Parliamentary National Education, Culture and Sports Commission, Deputy Ministers of National Education and department heads of central organization of the ministry attend the council as natural members. Experts from other ministries, public offices and agencies, local administrations, universities, local and international trade associations, nongovernmental organizations, press, students, parents will attend the council as other stakeholders of education.

Council preparations carried out in five different areas

Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer expressed his happiness to convene the National Education Council after a 7 year break.

"We have carried out preparations in five different areas" said Özer, reminding that the agenda of the council is set as ``equal opportunity in basic education", "reinforcement of vocational education" and "professional improvement of teachers" under the main theme of equal opportunity.

Minister Özer noted that stakeholders shared their views and suggestions about the topics of the agenda through "sura.meb.gov.tr" between September 22 and October 29 adding that, "We have received a total of 32 thousand and 643 suggestions from the entire country. We have completed the preparation workshops held in 26 regions in an effort to hear the expectations and suggestions of education stakeholders living in 81 cities of the country. These workshops were participated by nongovernmental organizations, professional organizations, students, parents, teachers and ministry staff. We have collected regional reports. Thirdly, we had observed the council reports of academicians. Fourthly, working groups formed by the staff of Directorates General affiliated to our Ministry and nongovernmental organizations submitted their views and suggestions to us."

Minister Özer stated that the decision will be taken by majority vote and shared with the public.

Previous councils

First National Education Council was organized in 1939 under the leadership of Hasan Ali Yücel who at the time was the Minister of National Education in order to discuss "Plans and Principles of Education in Republic", "Review of Bylaws Concerning Education Institutions" and "Review of Entire Curriculum."

19th National Education Council was held in 2014 and discussed "training programs and weekly class charts", "improvement of quality of teachers" and "school safety."

Council will take advisory decisions.