In his lengthy poem "Boaz Asleep," written in his 80s, Victor Hugo wrote, "If I were young, it would be different, for when a person is young / The day that emerges from the night is full of victory." Young people who have developed a consciousness for reading are filled with the victories of thought. Hugo may have penned this poem to express this truth. Because the youth constantly create victories within themselves, they have become targets for governments that fear independent thinking.

During the Gezi protests, young men and women lost their lives at the hands of those who despise free thought.

As education in the country becomes increasingly substandard, with a sharp rise in reactionary elements, trust in public schools, which no longer meet students' socialization and individualization needs, has plummeted.

Causes

University students, in particular, have often found themselves imprisoned for years whenever they have strived for victory, with some even facing execution. These experiences have shattered young people's faith in education. Economic hardships have made it increasingly difficult for families to afford private schooling. The implementation of reactionary curricula in public schools has further alienated students from education. Research by educational associations that offer alternative solutions confirms this reality. In 2023, Kadem Özbay, the General President of the Eğitim-İş Union, provided data demonstrating the ongoing degradation of the education system.

Initiatives

Research shows that public school education no longer fosters the belief that students can be educated on the path to modernity. This shift is attributed to the increased focus on religious subjects, the proliferation of propaganda-laden lessons, and the reduction of scientific courses.

According to a study by the Social Democracy Foundation, 62% of young people in Turkiye wish to move abroad due to the lack of freedom they experience.

When asked, "If you were to govern this country, what problem would you solve first?" a significant 46.7% of young people cited unemployment, followed by 8.8% pointing to the high cost of living, and 7.6% expressing dissatisfaction with the application of justice.

In and outs

While young people seek their futures abroad, an influx of people from neighboring countries continues to flow into Turkiye. Sociologists critical of this situation warn that the void left by those who light the way forward will be filled by an unskilled mass from outside, leading to significant problems for the country's future.

Some believe this contradictory situation could even influence elections and eventually lead to internal conflicts within the country.

In an environment where rhetoric that darkens society's future continues to spread, it seems inevitable that events will arise to threaten national unity.

Thus, it would be beneficial for the country's well-being if the government sought solutions to prevent this situation from worsening.