Opposing the majority


Date posted: November 21, 2013

TUĞBA AYDIN

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will not back down from its decision to close prep schools, despite ongoing discussion on the matter and deepening polarization over the government’s move.

Erdoğan asserted that the initiative to close prep schools is not new, but dates back to an earlier period of AK Party rule and is part of a broader plan to transform the dysfunctional education system.

However, the majority insists that these prep schools should not be closed. Only 21 percent of people polled support the government’s move, according to a survey conducted by Mak Danışmanlık (Mak Consultancy). As the debate about prep schools continues, South Korea might be a useful case study, as it reopened its prep schools, which were abolished after the 1980 coup, due to the increasing number of unregistered schools and a decision from its Constitutional Court. Some columnists shared their views on the necessity for prep schools.

According to Sabah columnist Nazlı Ilıcak, Turkey has a great need for prep schools. Around 2 million students took the Student Selection and Placement System (ÖSYS) examination this year, and only 385,000 of them were accepted by their chosen faculties, meaning that students must take supplementary courses due to this intense competition, writes Ilıcak. She also adds that the need for prep schools can only be reduced if the government provides students with small class sizes and a sufficient number of qualified teachers.

Zaman’s Mehmet Kamış says that on many issues, including prep schools, the government marginalizes a segment of society for its ideological views, but the government should not rely on partiality and ideology. It is impossible to do science and generate free ideas in a country in which the education system is intervened in by the government, Kamış believes.

Source: Today's Zaman , November 21, 2013

Tags: | | |


Related News

Wife of ‘Gülen school manager’ detained in Tbilisi asks for protection

The family of Mustafa Emre Çabuk, a manager at the Private Demirel College who was detained in Tbilisi on Turkey’s request, is asking for protection from Georgia’s State Security Service, after receiving several threats on social media with Turkish names.

Islamic scholar Gülen criticizes Turkish gov’t response to Gezi protests

Gülen said he had heard of Turkish officials’ efforts to “undermine Turkish schools abroad” which are run by his movement in many countries across the world. “Unfortunately, this appetite for destruction pushes all fair limits. These schools were established through the great self-sacrifice of the people of Anatolia,” he said.

Who is the winner?

The Gülen community is a movement of volunteers. The real reason for the row is not the community’s attempt to meddle in politics. It is due to its sheer size and public image. As he did with other groups or communities, Erdoğan sought to take full control of the Hizmet movement in an effort to consolidate his power. Following the defeat of the military tutelage, the government saw a convergence of power. However, the Hizmet movement was not a piece of cake which it could swallow easily. The government had previously purged itself of many bureaucrats who are close to the community.

IFLC sends messages of peace in Germany, calls for Turkey to widen its horizon

The 13th International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC) held in Germany offered a moving closing ceremony over the weekend that included calls on Turkey to broaden its horizon — given the continuing inner turmoil in the country — so that it can see “lights of love and tolerance” spread across the globe.

School Children, Not Tools Of War: A Nigerian’s opinion on Gulen, Hizmet and Erdogan

AS a Nigerian who has experienced Turks and their culture both at home and in Turkey for over a decade of my life, I have come to see and feel Turkey as my second country. My first interaction with the Turkish society was through education in Abuja at one of their many schools nationwide before I went on to spend five years in Istanbul.

Threats and fear used to intimidate business world

In one of the eastern provinces, members of a business association believed to be close to the Hizmet movement, a CSO, were visited by the managers of another association that the government seeks to promote. They were told that a police operation might be launched against their association and that they would face serious tax audits and commercial problems if they continued their membership in their current association.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Erdoğan officially declares his despotism

As Gulen movement contracts in Africa, worry over who will fill the vacuum

Kimse Yok Mu hosts international experts for social media benefits conference

Civil death: Amnesty report on social upheaval caused by Turkey’s purge of public servants

Turkish gov’t pays cash rewards for arrest or death of Gülen supporters

Elvan Foods: Our exports extended to 130 countries thanks to Turkish Schools

What is wrong with independent journalism?

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News