21st Century Skills in the Maarif Model: Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence and Instructional Technologies

This study analyses the Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli (TYMM) Curriculum in relation to digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, and instructional technologies as key 21st-century competencies. Using a qualitative document analysis of all curricula published by the Ministry of National Education (2024), the study identifies digital competence outcomes through key concepts such as “digital, technology, AI, data, literacy, online, and citizenship.” Findings show that TYMM emphasizes digital citizenship, ethics, online safety, and data literacy. Science and mathematics highlight data use and software tools; social sciences focus on ethics and digital rights; language and literature stress digital communication and AI-supported learning; history and philosophy explore digital history and social transformation. While TCMM aligns well with UNESCO and EU DigComp 2.2 frameworks in ethics and data literacy, AI literacy is not yet structured as a progressive learning continuum. The curriculum shows limited integration of AI pedagogy and teacher competency development. Overall, TCMM’s strengths lie in its ethical, data-driven approach consistent with global standards, but further alignment is needed to enhance AI-related teaching, professional development, and assessment systems for a more holistic digital transformation in education.