In order to increase the social responsibility level of students, the Ministry of National Education recently introduced a social responsibility program and lifelong learning certification. This initiative aims to foster a sense of responsibility and civic engagement in students while promoting continuous learning throughout their lives.
According to the ministry, the activities incorporated in the social responsibility program outlined in the newly announced directive aim to develop students as individuals who respect themselves, their families and society. This program encourages students to be sensitive to social issues and instills a determination to contribute positively to nature, the environment, objects, products and all living things.
The program’s overarching goals include developing effective communication skills, increasing self-confidence, and promoting student research, scientific, critical, and creative thinking. The program takes a student-centered approach and also aims to equip students with essential competencies such as leadership, teamwork, and coordination.
The activities outlined in the Social Responsibility Program contribute to the development of the school’s corporate identity, with a focus on reflecting the corporate culture and school ethos. The directive envisages the establishment of “social responsibility clubs” in schools with the approval of teachers’ associations.
These clubs are conceived as hubs for various social responsibility activities carried out in a teamwork format. Students from different grades, branches, and even different schools have the opportunity to collaborate within these clubs, promoting a diverse and inclusive approach to community involvement.
When planning and implementing out-of-school activities, assignments, or projects, care is taken not to disrupt the normal functioning of the institution or organization in which the work is carried out.
The agencies and organizations that collaborate within the social responsibility program are determined by the governor or district governor based on the recommendations of the state or district coordinator committee. Activities within the scope of the Social Responsibility Program on the subject and within the cooperation protocols developed by the Ministry are also evaluated within this scope.
According to this directive, students are supposed to carry out at least 40 hours of activities within the social responsibility program during their secondary education.
Activities within the scope of the social responsibility program are carried out as 20 hours in the vocational and technical secondary education program, and each hour within this scope is evaluated as 60 minutes. These activities are not graded, but are recorded upon student graduation.
These documents are recorded in the “social activities module” of the e-School system and included in the student’s development file.