Legislation

Bylaw on the Learning of Languages and Dialects Used Traditionally by Turkish Citizens in their Daily Lives

[Ministry of National Education, September 20, 2002]

SECTION I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this bylaw is to establish rules to govern the opening, functioning and the bylaw of private courses, held in accordance with the Act No. 625 on Private Educational Institutions, dated 8/6/1965, for the learning of languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives.

Article 2 (Scope)

This bylaw covers work and transactions to be undertaken in relation to private courses to be held, in accordance with Act No. 625 on Private Educational Institutions, dated 8/6/1965, for the learning of languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives.

Article 3 (Justification)

This bylaw has been prepared on the basis of the Fundamental Law of National Education, No. 1739, dated 14/6/1973, Act No. 625 on Private Educational Institutions, dated 8/6/1965, Act No. 2923 on the Education and Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Learning of Different Languages and Dialects by Turkish Citizens, dated 14/10/1983.

Article 4 (Definitions)

The terms used in this bylaw are as follows:

a) The Ministry (the Ministry of National Education)

b) Course (a private course held for the learning of languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives)

c) Trainee (a trainee registered in the course)

d) Program (an instruction program the name, level and duration of which has been indicated and approved by the Ministry)

e) Term (a total duration of instructions indicated in the instruction program)

Article 5 (The Purpose of the Course)

The purpose of the course is to undertake, in accordance with the general purposes and basic principles of Turkish National Education, activities for the learning of languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives.

SECTION II

ESTABLISHING INSTITUTIONS AND BEGINNING TEACHING

Article 6

When the conditions referred to in the Bylaw on Private Educational Institutions Affiliated with the Ministry of Education for the permits for “establishment of institutions” and “beginning of teaching” have been fulfilled, the Ministry shall issue these permits.

Article 7 (Appointments)

The Director, assistant director, teacher, master trainer and other personnel shall be appointed to the course for which a permit has been issued.

The personnel to be allowed to work must fulfill the qualifications and conditions indicated in the Act No. 625 on Private Educational Institutions and the Bylaw on Private Educational Institutions Affiliated with the Ministry of Education, he/she must be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey and must fulfill the qualifications and conditions identified by the Council for Education and Training.

The personnel to be appointed are to be allowed to work in accordance with the provisions of Article 23 of the Act No. 625 on Private Education Institutions and the relevant articles of the Bylaw on Private Educational Institutions Affiliated with the Ministry of Education.

The personnel, other than the administrators, teacher and master trainers, should:

a) Be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey,

b) Be a graduate of primary education at least (primary school for those graduating before the implementation of the Act No. 4306, dated 16/8/1997),

c) Have no convictions other than for crimes of negligence, no convictions for infamy and for crimes committed against the States and should not have been deprived of public rights,

d) Have medical reports confirming that there are no physical or mental illnesses that will prevent the continuous performance of the duties.

Article 8 (Rules for registration)

Turkish citizens with at least primary education may register in the courses. For persons under 18 years of age a written consent of parents or a legal guardian is required for the registration.

Students in the 6th, 7th and 8th year may register in weekend and summer courses with the written consent of his/her parents or a legal guardian.

Trainees may not be transferred from one course to another.

Article 9 (Documents required for registration)

These documents are required for registration of trainees:

a) Copy of a birth certificate

b) Certificate of education or its duplicate (these documents may be approved by the director of course if the original is presented)

c) Four wallet-size photographs

Article 10 (Teaching programs, terms, daily work hours)

The teaching program of the course is to be approved by the Ministry.

The course is to consist only of the teaching programs for learning of languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives.

The list of trainees is to be submitted at the beginning of each term to the director of national education with which the course is affiliated.

Activities may be undertaken between 8:00 and 22:00. The duration of each lesson is 45 minutes.

The teaching of persons less than 18 years old is to be undertaken within working hours.

Lessons shall not be held during national holidays.

SECTION III

VARIOUS PROVISIONS

Article 11 (Monitoring)

Monitoring of the courses is to be undertaken by the Ministry of Education. Experts along with inspectors may also be appointed if necessary.

Article 12 (Dress code)

The provisions of the Bylaw on the Dress Code for Personnel and Students at Schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education and Other Ministries, which entered into force with Council of Ministers Decision No. 8/3349, dated 22/7/1981, are to be applicable for the founder, representative of the founder, the administrator, teachers and other personnel; the provisions applied at other official public education institutions are to be applicable for trainees registered in the course.

Article 13 (Co-education)

Co-education is undertaken in accordance with Article 15 of the Act No. 1739 on the Fundamental Law of National Education, dated 14/6/1973, and Article 5 of the Bylaw on Private Educational Institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Education.

Article 14 (Other Matters)

The provisions of legislation on private educational institutions are to be applied to the matters not covered by this Bylaw.

SECTION IV

ENTRY INTO FORCE AND IMPLEMENTATION

Article 15 (Entry into force)

This Bylaw shall enter into force at the date of its publication.

Article 16 (Implementation)

The provisions of this Bylaw are to be implemented by the Minister of National Education.

[Non-official translation]

Source: Mercator Bulletin No. 53, http://www.ciemen.org/mercator/butlletins/53-04.htm

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