“There is no law that envisages the use of a coefficient system for graduates of vocational high schools. I have no idea on what basis the Council of State issued such a ruling,” Özcan said. The existing system uses a lower coefficient on the Student Selection Examination (ÖSS) to calculate the scores of graduates of vocational high schools.
In July, YÖK’s General Council decided to abolish the coefficient system, a move welcomed at the time by many who interpreted it as a groundbreaking step to end long-standing discrimination imposed on vocational school graduates, including those from religious imam-hatip high schools.
The lower coefficient was a byproduct of the Feb. 28, 1997 postmodern coup, which led to the collapse of an Islamic-rooted government, and was introduced in an attempt to keep students from religious imam-hatip schools -- classified as vocational schools -- out of universities. The system has been the subject of strong criticism in Turkey as it is considered unfair towards graduates of vocational high schools who want to study at universities.
The 8th Chamber of the Council of State, however, ruled last week to retain the system. The ruling sent shockwaves across the country, with many observers lashing out at the council for violating the principle of equal opportunity in education.
“We will find a decision that will not victimize students. We are working on a number of alternatives. If necessary, we will ask for legislation from Parliament. There is no law that envisages the use of a coefficient system for graduates of vocational schools. The authority to lay down conditions for entrance in universities is in the hands of YÖK in accordance with the Constitution and other laws. We have worked on a petition to appeal the ruling during the whole Eid holiday. We will give the petition its final shape and submit it to the Council of State on Wednesday,” Özcan remarked.
The board argues in its petition that the abolishment of the coefficient system is not against the law. However, the council claimed in its decision that the move to remove the coefficient is against the law and principle of equality and would lead to damage in the education system that would be impossible to repair.
The petition defines the coefficient system as a “caste system” that is an obstacle for the right of individuals to access education and to improve themselves.
The Council of State ruling, however, came as a contradiction to one of its past verdicts. In August, the council ruled that it cannot interfere in YÖK’s authority in the face of an appeal for the abolishment of the coefficient system. A lawyer, İbrahim Serdaroğlu, appealed to the council in May 2008 to abolish the coefficient system. The council, however, said it is within YÖK’s authority to decide on the coefficient issue. YÖK is backed by parents of students attending vocational high schools. The head of the Association of Jurists, Kamil Uğur Yaralı, said a large number of parents applied to the association to be included in a case to be filed against the council ruling. “We are an association set up by jurists. We cannot bow to such injustice. We will support those parents,” Yaralı noted. İbrahim Sarp, the father of a student attending the Konya Meram Atatürk Girls’ Vocational High School, called for an end to injustice toward students of those schools. “Let that injustice end. Don’t let students be disappointed anymore. We were happy that the coefficient system was abolished. My daughter was indescribably happy. But the Council of State ruling ahead of the Eid saddened us all. We are preparing to be included in YÖK’s appeal,” Sarp added.
Activists raise voices against ‘discriminatory’ ruling
Rights activists have continued to raise their voices against the Council of State ruling in favor of the coefficient system, which they described as “discrimination” and an “open violation of human rights.” They recalled that in the past 10 years around 10 million students lost their chance to attend the university departments they wished due to the system. Attorney Eren Keskin stated that the ruling was the product of a militarist system in the country.
“This is open discrimination. No high judiciary organ has the authority to make such a decision in any democratic country. The ruling targets poor families who have to send their children to vocational high schools,” Keskin stated.
According to Ayhan Bilgen, a human rights activist, the Council of State and the İstanbul Bar Association dealt a blow to the atmosphere of peace in the country. The Council of State ruling came four months after the İstanbul Bar Association appealed to the council against the YÖK decision on the coefficient system. The bar stressed in its lawsuit that YÖK’s move would be unjust toward students who graduate from high schools other than vocational high schools, Anatolian high schools and science schools.
Former Education Minister Hüseyin Çelik termed the ruling “political” and “ideological.” “We would not have the slightest hesitation to pass a law against the coefficient system. But the Republican People’s Party [CHP] would most probably take that law to the Constitutional Court for nullification. Our government will do what is necessary,” Çelik added.
Burhanettin Kansızoğlu, the head of an association bringing together graduates of religious imam-hatip high schools in İzmir, argued that the ruling is aimed at playing with the psychology and the future of students at vocational high schools. “Our students were already depressed. We tried to boost their morale by saying the coefficient system was abolished. Now, they are all disappointed. At least half of the students at vocational high schools will not attend courses. Our students will remain in the streets,” he noted.
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