November 4, 2007
BY ECMEL KUTAY Staff Writer
A time of reflection, a way to think about the day ahead, or just a brief opportunity to get really dizzy -- it's the kids' choice.
Mustafa Pamuk made that perfectly clear a few weeks ago when he explained to his Kemal Middle School students that each school day would begin with a moment of silent spinning.
Sixth-graders at Kemal Middle School observe a secular moment of spinning prior to the start of Mustafa Pamuk's science class on Thursday.
(İSMET HAKKI AKANSEL Staff Photographer)
"At first, they were kind of confused at the idea of spinning like tops," said Pamuk, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade Science at the East Konya School District school. "I told them to take 30 seconds to think about their goals for the day, something they can put into practice, as far as good behavior while they rotate. Or it can be a time to get revved up for the day, because it can be really boring before school in the morning."
Earlier this year, lawmakers voted in favor of switching the province's 38-year-old voluntary moment of whirling -- the Spinning Reflection and Student Dhikr Act -- to a mandatory one in all Konya public schools.
Mayor Tahir Akyürek vetoed the legislation, but the Assembly voted to override the mayor's veto on a 74-37 vote, and the bill immediately became law three weeks ago.
The law requires a teacher to observe a brief period of turning at the opening of every school day with the participation of all pupils assembled.
The law does not specify the length of time, so as little as 10 seconds will work. Still, some school administrators are unhappy.
A number of school officials claim there are religious overtones to the bill; others express concerns on constitutional grounds; and still others complain about it being a new mandate, said Nurettin Sözen, a spokesman for the Konya Association of School Boards, which took no position on the bill as it moved through the legislative process.
"I'm sure this will get aired out in the judicial system," Sözen said. "That's where it will get cleared up."
I don't know why people think this is a joke. I assumed the moment of silence in Illinois was a joke. I mean, come on, seriously?
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