Ziya Selçuk is an educator who has held academic and administrative positions in the field of education in Türkiye. Born on 1 May 1961 in Ankara, Selçuk is known for his work in educational sciences, psychological counseling, and curriculum development. He has served in various roles in both academia and public institutions and has made institutional contributions in the field of special education.

Educational Background

Ziya Selçuk completed his undergraduate education at the Department of Psychological Services in Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Ankara University. He then pursued a master’s degree in Developmental Psychology at Hacettepe University. In 1989, he earned his PhD in Psychological Counseling and Guidance from the same university. Throughout his academic career, he focused on areas such as learning psychology, developmental guidance, and educational programs, teaching courses and conducting research in these fields. He served as a faculty member at Gazi University, where he attained the ranks of associate professor and full professor. Within the university, he held various administrative positions and participated in academic councils and senate memberships. His academic development has been shaped by both theoretical and practical contributions to the field of education.

Ministry Period

Ziya Selçuk was appointed Minister of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye on 10 July 2018, following the announcement of the Presidential System of Government. He assumed this role with the background of a long-standing academic specializing in educational policies and experience as Chair of the Board of Education and Training. During his tenure, key priorities included revising fundamental education policies, simplifying curricula, strengthening teacher training, and promoting digital content production.

During his ministry, the policy document titled “2023 Education Vision” was presented to the public, and numerous structural goals were established in line with this document. Core elements of the vision included personalized instruction in education, the development of assessment and evaluation systems, the restructuring of vocational education, and the enhancement of teacher competencies. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated remote learning, the effective use of digital platforms such as EBA (Education Information Network) and TRT EBA TV was encouraged, and infrastructure projects in this area were implemented.

Ziya Selçuk resigned from his position as Minister of National Education on 5 August 2021 and was succeeded by Mahmut Özer. Throughout his term, key agenda items included the digitalization of the education system, preparations for a teacher professional law, and student-centered reform initiatives.

Writing Career

Ziya Selçuk has authored numerous books and academic publications in the fields of educational psychology, development, guidance, learning theories, and communication. His writing career aims to share his academic expertise with both colleagues and the general public. In his works, he has placed particular emphasis on child development, teacher-student interaction, structural challenges in education systems, and individual differences.