Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced that military recruitment offices, which are slated to be closed down countrywide, will be used as preschool education centers in line with a Cabinet meeting decision made Monday.

Speaking at a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) group meeting Wednesday, Erdoğan stated that of the 181 recruitment office buildings, those that are suitable will be transferred to the Education Ministry to be used for preschool education.

Erdoğan explained that military registration procedures have been handled by provincial centers since July 2009, rendering the sometimes long trips to military offices unnecessary. “Before, people had to travel to other cities where there were military offices, going 60-kilometer distances. Now they can complete their registration at the nearest center,” he asserted.

Furthermore, Erdoğan noted the state will save TL 40 million by shutting down the military offices and introducing more efficient use of military manpower. “A total of 1,500 soldiers who served in those offices will be returned to the Turkish General Staff to be used in connection with other tasks,” he said.

Cihan