20 January 2015 14:31

Minister of National Education Nabi Avcı received the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (SMDK) Interim Government Training and Education Minister Imad Barak and the accompanying delegation at his office.
 
Minister Avcı thanked Barak for his visit and congratulated him for his new position as the National Education Minister at the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (SMDK) Interim Government.
 
Noting that he was happy to see that the Interim Government has decided to name a person of a Turkmen origin as one of the most important ministers of the government, Minister Avcı said, “All Syrian people regardless of their origin are our brothers and sisters but our feelings for Turkmens is different as we share common characteristics, language and history. We dedicate ourselves to show equal hospitality for all brothers and sisters coming from Syria regardless of their faith, language, ethnicity and sect”.
 
Minister Avcı pointed out that his ministry does not only deal with education issues in the Republic of Turkey but also education issues of fellow Syrian people adding that, “We have been making a serious effort to educate our brothers and children coming from Syria”.
 
Education of 170 thousand Syrian children
 
Noting that approximately 170 thousand Syrian children are receiving education in Turkey and adding that this figure is not enough as some 250 thousand more children are in need of education, Minister Avcı said, “With the will of Allah we will provide education opportunities that these children missed out until now”.
 
Ministry of National Education has managed to approve the diploma accreditation of students completing 12th grade, Minister Avcı stressed.
 
Noting that the ministry is continuing to work on regulations allowing high school graduates from Syria to enroll in university programs, Minister Avcı reported, “Eight Turkish universities have completed required studies and have established quotas for these students.”
 
Noting that there have been joint efforts to allow especially girls to continue their education, Minister Avcı stated, “Syrian teachers have been providing important contribution to all these efforts. Consequently, these children are following the Syrian curriculum as well as taking Turkish courses. With the will of Allah these bilingual students will complete their education thanks to our efforts”.
 
Minister Avcı thanked the Interim Government and its ministry for their cooperation within this
framework.
 
Meanwhile, Imad Barak voiced his gratitude to the Ministry of National Education in the name of his ministry and the Syrian people and thanked Turkey for the opportunities that were provided to educate Syrian children.
 
 
 
Barak said that although he is of Turkmen origin, he did not have the chance to learn the Turkish language due to conditions in the country.
 
“I was in the Humus region. The regime did not allow us to speak any other language especially Turkish. Due to this reason, education is one of the most important concerns of our government,” Barak said.
 
Noting that he was named as the minister due to his background as an educator, Barak said,” The view of our Ministry is to re-educate, raise people who would be loyal to his past, ummah and humanity. Our enemies tried to divide our ummah and laid artificial borders between us”.
 
Barak said his ministry wants to carry out its studies under the leadership of Turkey adding that they are willing to improve and provide more aid to the education of Syrians living in Turkey.
 
Barak also thanked Minister Avcı and the Ministry for the efforts they have invested for the education of Syrian children.