Turkish schools

Prof. Mumtazer Turkone
Prof. Mumtazer Turkone


Date posted: November 25, 2014

About 15 years ago, I attended an international academic conference in a state located within the former Soviet geography. These conferences give us the chance to make on-the-spot observations about changes around the world. There were two Turkish high schools in the city: a state school, run by the Turkish Republic under bilateral agreements, and a private school run by Turkish entrepreneurs inspired by the ideas of well-respected Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen. I visited both and talked to students and teachers.

The state school was like one of the public schools in Turkey. The building was unclean and neglected, although it was a freshly established school. Teachers were wearing ragged clothes; male teachers were unshaved and sullen. Students were exhibiting disciplined behavior that was clearly for show. The atmosphere was gloomy and repressive.

But in comparison, the private school was a lively place. Teachers were dealing with students in an affectionate manner and we could see how this close care was reflected in students’ faces. The building was sparkling and clean. Everyone was happy.

To understand the causes for this profound difference, I asked our guide several questions. The teachers at the state-run school were paid ten times higher salaries. But the quality of education was higher at the private school and its students were more successful. Its graduates could attend distinguished universities. The school had emerged as the center of civil society activities. An inter-faith dialogue meeting had been organized with the participation of Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish clerics.

The Gülen-inspired Hizmet movement is Turkey’s most powerful global civil society. This organization has exported Turkey’s potential for solidarity and humanitarian cooperation, creating a multicultural, civic tradition. The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), the honorary president of which is Mr. Gülen, obtained consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2012 and has been at the forefront of peaceful efforts, which should certainly tell us the progress this movement has made.

Turkish schools operate in about 170 countries. These schools champion the concepts of peace and tolerance, and so far, not a single complaint has been made about them. For this reason, African leaders must have been surprised to hear the accusations President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made about these schools when he was visiting Equatorial Guinea for the recent Turkey-Africa summit. Civic humanitarian efforts are particularly appreciated in Africa, and the Hizmet movement has been conducting large-scale training, health, water supply and relief projects in this geography. Erdoğan labels these schools “agents” or “secret organizations,” but fails to provide the slightest hint about what secret purpose is behind all those good services and sacrificial work. On the return flight, Erdoğan told journalists that he got “feedback” from African leaders, but this remark per se indicates that he was not taken seriously by African leaders. None of them said, “We believe you and we will shut down these schools.” Most probably, they were amazed by the contradiction between the phenomenal success of the Turkish schools and Erdoğan’s remarks about them.

Erdoğan is waging a “black propaganda campaign” against the graft and bribery investigations he failed to cover up in Turkey. His target audience is not African leaders, but the Turkish public. He believes that the messages he gives abroad will be more influential. During the last National Security Council (MGK) meeting, Erdoğan tried to pass a decision against the Hizmet movement, but failed. We learned this from Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, the government spokesperson, who said, “We didn’t discuss such a matter.” Despite this fact, Erdoğan claimed that the MGK passed a recommendation and that the Cabinet made a decision in the same line. This is a typical example of black propaganda. It shows that this is still a serious matter to Erdoğan. The Turkish schools, however, are continuing on their way, with outstanding achievements.

Source: Today's Zaman , November 24, 2014


Related News

Erdogan on a mission to seek allies more than trading partners

Erdogan wants the Gulen-linked schools in Africa to be closed down, although they are the very educational establishments which are popular with Africa’s middle class. They have sprung up all over Africa in recent years. They are an affordable alternative to French schools.

Abant Platform convenes to discuss problems of Turkish education system

Tens of educators, bureaucrats, civil society organizations and private education foundations from Turkey and 15 other countries have come together to discuss the problems of Turkish education system and to propose possible solutions to those problems at the Abant Platform’s 31st meeting that kicked off on Saturday in İstanbul.

Moldova Rights Activists Target Erdogan at Football Match

Moldovan rights activists used a football match with Turkey on Tuesday to stage a brief protest against the highly controversial extradition to Turkey in 2018 of seven teachers.

The 14th Annual International Language and Culture Festival, organized by Raindrop Foundation

We love sharing the talents of young people. This group is truly international they come from 23 different countries, including France Mexico, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Brazil, Germany, Kazakhstan. They are here to compete in the Turkish raindrop foundations 14th annual international Festival of language and culture.

AK Party Deputy Hakan Şükür resigns due to hostile moves against Hizmet movement

Hakan Şükür, a Turkish member of parliament and former international football player, quit Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling party on Monday in protest at a government plan to shut down prep schools, revealing underlying intra-party squabbles. İstanbul MP Şükür said he was personally offended by what he called “hostile moves” against the Hizmet movement led by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Blinded by envious rivalry

Süleyman Sargın* 7 June 2012 The volunteers of the Hizmet Movement do not expect appreciation from anyone. Their highest ideal is that humanity can live in a world dominated by love and peace. The fidelity of Anatolian people makes them forget about all their trials and tribulations, yet the lack of fidelity from certain friends […]

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Turkish high-schooler commits suicide after father was dismissed under emergency rules

Arrested journalist: I am on guard duty for democracy

Fethullah Gulen denies ties to attempted coup in Turkey

Erdogan: Turkey’s man of mystery armed with extra powers

Is Hizmet making a feint at Turkish Government?

International community’s Erdoğan problem

27-Years-Old Mother With 11-Months-Old Son Found In Ankara’s Sincan Prison

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News