Turkish NGO proposes opening of segregated schoolsMarch 1, 2012 - 12:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The sub-panel of Turkish parliament’s education commission discussed proposals submitted by civic groups and trade unions on the much-criticized education reform bill. The most controversial proposal came from the Association of Imam-Hatip Graduates, which said boys and girls should be segregated. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ defended the bill as a move to boost vocational schools and provide a well-trained work force for the industry. “While students in vocational schools make up 65-70 percent in other countries, in Turkey it’s just the opposite. This shows that something is wrong,” Bozdağ said on Kanal 24 television. He explained the reform would enable parents to send children to vocational schools after a four-year basic education, but would allow them to change their choices afterwards. Bozdağ defended a planned provision to allow students to opt out of school in favor of home study after eight years as “suitable to Turkey’s realities.” The draft bill has come under fire on grounds that it would allow conservative parents to take girls from school and encourage child labor, Hurriyet Daily News reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |