EU funds project on human rights classes

The Education Ministry has launched a project to raise awareness among students about democratic citizenship and human rights in cooperation with the European Union, which allocated 9.1 million euros for the effort, Hurriyet Daily News reports. 

Under the project, the authorities will review the school curriculum to put a stronger emphasis on human rights, organize meetings with parents and start initiatives to boost democratic culture in schools. The project will be implemented in 20 pilot schools in 10 provinces, including Istanbul, Mardin and Hatay.

Speaking at a gathering on the occasion yesterday, Education Minister Ömer Dinçer said the overhaul of the curriculum would be an “important step toward strengthening [education on] human rights, democracy and equal opportunity for men and women.”

EU Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said the budget allocated for the project was one of the largest in Europe in this realm. “Teaching democracy and human rights in school is an important part of creating a democratic society,” he said.