Digital skills for 1 million teachers in Türkiye: Digital Ecosystem for Teacher Training completed

Ankara, 5 May 2026 - The Closing Ceremony and National Conference of Digital Ecosystem for Teacher Training Project, supported by the European Union and implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and UNICEF, is being held in Ankara on 5–6 May 2026.

Launched in 2023, the project reached nearly one million teachers, school administrators, and education personnel, strengthening their digital skills and making a significant contribution to the quality of Türkiye’s digital education ecosystem. The event brought together 300 experts, including teachers and academics in the field. During the conference, the results of the project were shared, and topics such as digital transformation and the use of technology in education were discussed with invited speakers and panelists. Throughout the event, workshops and best practice sharing sessions provided various opportunities to support participants' personal and professional development.

Throughout its implementation, the project aimed to deliver several key outputs that have created a lasting impact on the professional development system of teachers. Among the key achievements is the development of the Digital Teacher Competency Framework, which defines the digital competencies across three core competency domains, 17 competencies, and 380 indicators, providing a comprehensive reference for digital teaching proficiency.

To respond to teachers’ development needs, a Digital Competency Training Package of ten modules was developed and made accessible via the Teacher Informatics Network (ÖBA) platform. Covering topics from basic digital literacy and inclusive learning to digital assessment tools and emerging technologies, the package supported nearly one million teachers to acquire digital skills and enrich instructional methods and techniques to date.

Another major project output, the Teacher Learning Monitoring System, allows for the systematic tracking of teachers’ learning processes. Built on pre-assessment, process assessment, performance tasks, post-assessment, and design assessment, the system forms a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation ecosystem.

Eight Teacher Learning Laboratories were established in Istanbul, İzmir, Rize, Erzurum, Mersin, Gaziantep, and Ankara, allowing teachers to explore innovative digital tools, share best practices, and develop digital educational content.

The Closing Ceremony and National Conference of Digital Ecosystem for Teacher Training Project hosted high-level participation from UNICEF Türkiye, the European Union Delegation, and the Ministry of National Education.

Ministry of National Education Innovation and Education Technologies Director General, Mustafa Canlı said, “For us, digital transformation has never been merely a matter of access to technology. We believe that technology gains meaning when it is combined with teachers’ pedagogical expertise. The Digital Ecosystem for Teacher Training Project has been a strategic step that complements our Ministry’s efforts to enhance teachers’ digital skills and strengthens them with sustainable outcomes.”

UNICEF Representative to Türkiye Paolo Marchi stated, “Teachers are not just using new tools. They are learning from each other, supporting each other, and building something together. Not only better teaching—but better prepared, more confident, and more responsible learners. Reaching nearly one million teachers through the ÖBA platform is, of course, a remarkable achievement. It represents classrooms that are changing.”

Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye Jurgis Vilčinskas said, “'As we leave here, let’s carry this momentum forward. Let’s ensure that every classroom in Türkiye is a place where digital tools unlock potential, where teachers feel empowered, and where no student is left in the dark.'”

Implemented with a budget of €3.75 million, the project has aimed to contribute to advancing digital transformation for teachers and school administrators across Türkiye. By empowering teachers, the project supported the transformation of classrooms. All project outputs will remain available to education stakeholders to ensure ongoing impact.

Up-to-date information is available at ogedep.eba.gov.tr.

“We are empowering the digital journey of our teachers for a more inclusive, innovative, and high-quality education for students!”