Minister Tekin, in his meeting with teacher candidates studying at Erzurum National Education Academy, pointed out that the teaching profession is a very important responsibility.

Stating that the teacher has gone far beyond being an actor conveying knowledge in the current era, Tekin said: At the same time, he has become a guide who builds character among the people he deals with in society, shows direction, and shapes a generation’s perspective on life. Every sentence uttered in a classroom will find its equivalent in the Turkey of the future. Every sentence you use in any environment you are in will be taken as an example by someone for the future of this country. Therefore, every step you take today will have a say in tomorrow’s scientists, tomorrow’s engineers, artists, opinion leaders, and statesmen, in short, in the fate of this nation, this country.”

Minister Tekin said, “At the meetings of ministers of education in different countries of the world at regular intervals, the ministers of education in every country of the world are pursuing steps to reconsider the teacher training process. The National Education Academy was born from such a need in our country. We aimed to bring the teaching profession together with a strong preparation process. If you look from the Ottoman period onwards, the teacher training process in Türkiye has changed at certain intervals, as participation in education and training increased, and as the quality of education and training increased, differences began to emerge in diplomas, especially in the distance to higher education. In-Service Training Center in Erzurum was also established by the academy. “We turned it into an application center and made a plan to employ the friends we could recruit within the capacity of our classroom teachers. Currently, 502 of our teacher candidates are receiving their training here to join us as classroom teachers.” he said.

“WE WILL EXPERIENCE A DETAILED TRAINING PROCESS HERE TOGETHER”

Explaining that they, as the Ministry, launched the National Education Academy with the law enacted in 2024, Tekin continued as follows: “In the education you receive here, what are we trying to do, why are we trying to do, as a support for the programs that the Ministry of National Education will implement in a period of approximately 13 years, including 12 years of compulsory education plus pre-school education? We had the obligation to explain this to you in detail together with our academic friends who are involved in the application and also work on these issues theoretically. During the education process, which will last about a year here.” “This is one of the topics we care about. When you leave here and start working in schools as a teacher, we will all go through a very detailed training process here on what the Ministry of National Education wants to do, based on the parameters, and how to implement the programs it has implemented for what it wants to do.”

“THERE ARE PROGRAMS WHERE WE CHANGE THE TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR SCHOOLS EVERY 2-3 YEARS”

Tekin emphasized that improving both the physical, technological and human infrastructure of education in Türkiye and increasing the quality of education is the main function of the ministry, and said: “We need to focus on this. These may have been very ideal solutions 30 years ago, but we are all living in a period where life is changing very quickly. Every moment of our social life is changing very rapidly. Look at your clothes in the years when you started your undergraduate education, and compare it to now, many things change in Türkiye in 4 years in terms of fashion perception. Among so many things that change, teachers If we do not take steps in our education process and do not revise our programs and curricula frequently, we do not have the opportunity to create an education and training infrastructure that keeps up with the times and provides education to children and young people in accordance with the values of the age. Look, we change the architectural projects of our school buildings at regular intervals because our needs in schools change. There are software and programs that we change the technological infrastructure in our schools every 2-3 years. Because the program we implemented 3 years ago suddenly becomes obsolete and unusable. “As such, if we do not take steps regarding human resources, we do not have the opportunity to increase the quality of education.”

Minister Tekin said, “Therefore, the second important sign of the National Education Academy is the practical training of up to 600 hours in different types of schools. Hopefully, you will carry out this process together with our veteran teacher friends who have spent a lifetime in the profession. We will continue the in-service training at the National Education Academy at certain periods after starting the profession, based on the reality I mentioned. Therefore, the secondary mission of the National Education Academy is not only the teacher candidates, but also the current teacher friends, who renew themselves in five-year periods, “We will also organize programs where they update their knowledge and review their methodologies at the National Education Academy.” he said.

Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi and Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin attended the mass opening ceremony of Aziziye Municipality. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Çiftçi talked about the work he carried out regarding homeless stray animals during his term as governor in Erzurum.

“ERZURUM WAS THE FIRST CITY TO COMPLETE THIS WORK AMONG THE METROPOLITAN CITIES”

Çiftçi said: “When these studies started in March 2025 in the provinces where the 51 Special Provincial Administrations in Türkiye are valid, we started working on stray animals in Erzurum. We started early. We got the result of our early start. We collected all the stray animals in Erzurum around the end of October or the 6th of November. We took them all to shelters. Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Sekmen also made great contributions to this. I would like to thank you. When we first started, the capacity of the animal shelter in Erzurum was 150, then it was increased to 1000 and 1500. Thus, we took the animals we collected in our districts to the shelter of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality. In addition, the Pasin Plain Municipalities Union had an animal shelter. “Our municipality then built the shelters, and the work of Horasan Municipality continues. Today, Aziziye Municipality also commissioned the animal shelter. As a result of these good works, Erzurum became the first province to complete this work. As of November, we have put an end to the problem of stray animals in Erzurum.”

Stating that he had a very good time in Erzurum, Çiftçi said, “I have never felt like a stranger since I came to Erzurum. I saw myself as if I was working in my hometown Konya. We did not have any blood or tissue incompatibility with my brothers and sisters here. Two and a half years came and went, we left here before we could get enough of Erzurum.” he said.

Stating that Erzurum is a city with an ancient history, Çiftçi also talked about the public works carried out in historical areas during his term as governor.

Çiftçi thanked those who contributed to the works to be opened. Following the speeches, Minister of Internal Affairs Çiftçi, Minister of National Education Tekin and their entourage performed a ribbon cutting after the prayer. Governor Aydın Baruş, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Sekmen, AK Party Erzurum Deputy Selami Altınok, political party representatives, mayors, representatives of public institutions and non-governmental organizations and citizens attended the ceremony.

Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stated in her post on her social media account that Lake Van is one of Türkiye’s most valuable natural treasures.

LEADED BY ZERO WASTE FOUNDATION
Stating that the protection of the lake is not only the responsibility of today but also of future generations, First Lady Erdoğan said, “Lake Van is one of the most valuable natural treasures of our country with its unique blue. Protecting this beauty and protecting our water resources and nature is no longer a choice, but a common duty that we must fulfill for future generations.” In her post, First Lady Erdoğan stated that within the scope of the Lake Van Basin Protection works, which were launched in 2021 under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation, works such as bottom mud cleaning, integration of treatment facilities and rehabilitation of stream beds are being continued with determination. In its statement, the Foundation stated that work in the field continues uninterruptedly in order to secure the ecological future of Lake Van. Thanking all the institutions and organizations that contributed to the environmental mobilization, First Lady Erdoğan said, “I would like to wholeheartedly thank all our institutions and organizations and environmental friends who have given strength to this great environmental mobilization with their efforts. Let’s protect it together, let’s keep it alive together.”

Another important stage has been completed in the most comprehensive conservation, restoration and reinforcement works in the history of the Republic, carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the Hagia Sophia Mosque. In order to repair the lead coating on the dome, it became necessary to remove and repair or renew the existing lead coatings. Due to the sensitivity of the applications to be carried out, while the lead cover of the dome was removed, protection measures were evaluated to prevent the structure from being affected by weather conditions and to prevent the mosaics from being damaged. In the meetings, it was decided that the dome surface should be closed temporarily. In this context, the temporary steel roof was started to be covered with a protective tarpaulin meeting high safety standards.

IT WILL LIVE IN ITS ALL ITS MAGNIFICENCE
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made evaluations about the work in his post on his social media account. Emphasizing that with the application carried out under the guidance of the Scientific Committee, the historical building was protected against climatic conditions, the mosaics were secured and the work was carried out with great sensitivity without damaging the original texture, Minister Ersoy said, “We will continue to transfer Hagia Sophia, one of the most valuable heritages of our civilization, to future generations in the strongest way with the understanding of scientific preservation. Hagia Sophia, entrusted to Mehmet the Conqueror, will continue to live forever with adhan, prayers and all its splendor.” Stating that Hagia Sophia is the legacy of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and the greatest symbol of the conquest of Istanbul, Minister Ersoy stated that the temple regained its original identity with the historical decision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the restoration process, Hagia Sophia Mosque will continue to be open to worship and visitors.

In President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s social media message celebrating the 6th anniversary of the re-opening of Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship, he said: “Hagia Sophia regained its original identity 6 years ago today, after 86 years of hijra… This holy temple will continue to adorn our skies with the sounds of adhan until eternity… The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is blessed.” Let it be…” expressions were included. Erdoğan left his residence in Üsküdar Kısıklı at noon yesterday and went to Hz. He went to Ali Mosque. Erdoğan, who performed the Friday prayer here, spoke about Hagia Sophia while leaving the mosque: “Praise be to God, we have been blessed to reopen the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which we are currently celebrating its 6th anniversary, for worship. I hope this will be beneficial for the entire Islamic world. We continue to carry out its restorations, renovations and all these works. It opens its doors to both the Islamic world and all humanity; Christians and Muslims alike.” Hagia Sophia Mosque, of course, makes us all very happy. We are truly proud and truly happy. This is a very different work, both with its architectural features and its position in the world. For this reason, we send our heartfelt greetings, love and respect to the entire Islamic world.

NATO SUMMIT WAS POSITIVE: President Erdoğan responded to the journalists’ question about the NATO meeting by saying, “The feedback was very positive. Constant thank you telegrams and phone calls; with all these, especially the treats, dignity and hosting we provided them on the opening day, our guests were pleased. Of course, the summit held in Istanbul after 20 years and the summit in Ankara, both of them were a different source of wealth and happiness for us. After the NATO Leaders Summit, all those who came Frankly, I owe a debt of gratitude to our guests.

HOPE WE WILL BE GRANTED

SPAIN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: President Erdoğan responded to the journalists’ question about the World Cup by saying, “It is indeed the most natural and natural right of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to experience such happiness as the prime minister of a world champion country. I hope we will be blessed with such a championship. We will also capture such a world championship. We started well, but it did not end well. I hope there may be European championships ahead of us from now on, I don’t know, world championships again.” “We would be very happy if we could achieve such success. Of course, this would be very good for Türkiye. I hope we are ready for this,” he said.

ERDOĞAN SIGNED, THE SOUND OF ADHAN WAS RISED FROM CONQUEROR’S TRUST

Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul, as a mosque from 1453 until it became a museum with the decision taken in 1934, and served as a museum for 86 years. Permanent Foundations Association for Service to Historical Monuments and the Environment filed a lawsuit in the Council of State, requesting the annulment of the decision of the Council of Ministers regarding the conversion of Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum. The Council of State’s decision paved the way for worshiping in Hagia Sophia again. Erdoğan signed the decree on reopening Hagia Sophia for worship on the same day. Erdoğan attended the first Friday prayer in Hagia Sophia on July 24, 2020 and read Surah Fatiha and the first 5 verses of Surah Al-Baqara in the mosque. The adhan was recited by 4 muezzins from 4 minarets. Muhammed UZUN/SABAH

WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEAVE ENTHUSIASM IN THE WASTE

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli: Happy opening of Hagia Sophia to worship. We will continue with determination and faith to disturb the internal and external occupation fronts, which have lost sleep not only after the conquest but also after the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and to leave their enthusiasm in their tracks.

LOYALTY TO THE CENTURY-OLD TRUST

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş: Hagia Sophia is one of the strongest symbols of a nation’s will engraved in history and its loyalty to a centuries-old trust. This sacred trust left to our Istanbul by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror regained its original identity 6 years ago with the historical determination of Mr. Erdoğan. This is not just the reopening of a temple for worship, but a strong expression of protecting our history and civilization. I congratulate the anniversary of Hagia Sophia’s reopening for worship with my most heartfelt feelings, and I pray to God that every takbir echoing from this sacred place and every prayer rising to the sky will unite hearts, strengthen brotherhood, and bring hope to the oppressed.

STRONG WILL, HISTORICAL DETERMINATION

AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik: Hagia Sophia was reunited with its true meaning and identity 6 years ago today. We express our gratitude to our President, who has the will to realize this meaningful resurrection. Hagia Sophia will continue to be one of the spiritual roots of our land with its meaning, adhan and yeast until eternity.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek: This sacred temple, which was reopened for worship with the decision of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, continues to bear the traces of our civilization for centuries. Hagia Sophia Mosque hosts adhans, prayers and prostrations as the living memory of our foundation civilization. I pray to God Almighty that the calls to prayer from its minarets will not cease until the end of time.

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin: “Happy 6th anniversary of the reopening of the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the symbol of the conquest, for worship. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Erdoğan, who demonstrated a historical determination with his strong will in reopening the Hagia Sophia Mosque for worship.

EMPHASIS ON ‘HAHAIA SOPHIA’ IN THE FRIDAY SERMON: THESE HOLIDAYS ARE OUR SPIRITUAL CASTLES

In the Friday sermon, the 6th anniversary of the restoration of Hagia Sophia Mosque to its original state was celebrated. On the subject of Islamic Civilization, the following statements were used: Today is the day when the Sheriff of Hagia Sophia Mosque, the symbol of the conquest of Istanbul and the precious trust of our ancestors, met with his community again. The call to prayer echoing from the Hagia Sophia Mosque is the declaration of justice and mercy of our glorious nation to the world, as it was during the conquest of Istanbul. These temples are our spiritual castles. Semih KARA / SABAH

30 MILLION VISITORS IN 6 YEARS

Deputy Mufti of Istanbul, Arif Cevlek, said, “The restoration of its original identity in the Islamic world, especially among Muslims in Türkiye, has, so to speak, brought peace to the hearts that have been burning with this longing for years with the slogan ‘Let the chains be broken, let Hagia Sophia be opened’. The interest shown in the mosque has maintained its liveliness as on the first day. Local and foreign visitors visited Hagia Sophia for both worship and to see its historical and artistic aspects. After it was reopened for worship, more than 30 million people visited Hagia Sophia.” “A lot of people visited,” he said.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said that there may be new detentions within the scope of the Dude investigation. Gürlek, who made a statement on the subject in the television broadcast he attended, stated that the process was shaped by the findings that emerged during the Şile Municipality investigation carried out during the period of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Reminding that approximately 245 million dollars of donations were collected through the Friendship Association after the February 6 earthquakes, Gürlek stated that this reached approximately 4.3 billion TL with the exchange rate of the period. Gürlek emphasized that, according to the financial data obtained in the investigation, it was determined that Haluk Levent bet a total of 990 million TL in legal betting companies.

Gürlek said that while Haluk Levent wanted to go abroad on July 12, he learned about the international travel ban imposed on him, and noted that he turned off his mobile phone upon this development. Gürlek stated that the prosecutors evaluated the interruption of the phone signal as a preparation for escape and stated that it was evaluated that Haluk Levent was planning to go to Izmir and cross the Greek islands by boat. Gürlek explained that for this reason, the operation date was brought forward and a detention decision was made. Pointing out that the investigation is continuing, Gürlek stated that many promissory notes, money transfers and real estate transfers in the file are being examined, and that there may be new operations and detentions in line with new evidence. Gürlek said, “There is a very big organization.”