Transformation in Turkey's Imam Hatip Schools: Course Specialization Project in Cooperation with YÖK

Yusuf Tekin, Turkey's Minister of National Education, in his latest statements on June 25, 2026, announced a structural transformation in the "Imam Hatip" school system. According to him, the Ministry of National Education is taking the final steps for "branching" or specializing vocational courses in these schools. This action is being carried out in close cooperation with the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) to ensure that educational standards are aligned with academic and professional needs [1].

Details of the Course Specialization Plan Previously, vocational courses in Imam Hatip schools were offered more generally, but the new plan seeks to have teachers and students work more specialized in specific areas such as Fiqh, Hadith, Tafsir, and Kalam. Minister Tekin emphasized that the goal of this work is to train more specialized human resources and raise the scientific level of students who intend to continue their studies in faculties of theology [2]. These changes include a revision of educational curricula and the method of training teachers for these courses.

The Role of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in this Transformation Cooperation with the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is significant because the training of vocational course teachers takes place in universities. Tekin noted that for the successful implementation of this plan, it is necessary for undergraduate university curricula to also be coordinated with the new branching approach [1]. This coordination ensures that university graduates enter the educational body of Imam Hatip schools with more precise specializations, significantly increasing the quality of teaching religious and vocational courses [3].

Importance of Imam Hatip Schools in Turkey's Educational Structure Imam Hatip schools, known as religious vocational schools in Turkey, play an important role in the country's educational system. Yusuf Tekin mentioned in his remarks that these schools have always been a focus of the government, and the effort to update them is part of the ministry's macro strategy to meet the current needs of society [2]. He added that the specialization of courses not only helps students gain a deeper understanding of religious sciences but will also strengthen the scientific position of these schools in competition with other secondary schools [3]. The operational details of this plan are expected to be officially notified in the coming months.