The statement of the General Staff said that the law described Preachers’ Schools solely as institutions to train personnel who will work in religious services and “When the matter is viewed from this angle, it is not possible that this motion of amendment (of AKP) is in compliance with the wording and spirit of these laws. The statement stressed that AKP’s motion “Will clearly damage the unity of education and secular education in Turkey.”
“The most important change brought by the motion is the one about delegation of some of the powers of YOK to the universities. The intentions behind this move, must be evaluated sensitively. “
The statement recalled that the AKP government had to withdraw a similar law in October 2003 upon heavy public reaction and “What has changed in 6 months to have the government take up this motion once more?”
“It is impossible to overlook such a behavior. The higher education system does have many points that need correction. But the important thing here is to improve the quality of education for attaining the level of contemporary civilizations and provide a balance between education and employment.
“The Turkish Armed Forces have always maintained the same ideas and stance on the democratic, laic state of law. No one should hesitate about these ideas. This motion will certainly create unnecessary and serious problems and we call on relevant people and institutions to approach it carefully, with common sense and sensitivity.”
The tension over AKP’s motion for IHLs, the value of Dollar went over 1 million 480 thousand TL.
The Parliamentary Education Commission passed the IHL motion of AKP, in spite of the objection of CHP’s deputies who said “You are abusing your numerical superiority at Parliament. Go ahead and pass it alone!”
