The petitions filed with the Ministry of Education and provincial educational branches in May 2012 by parents have revealed that the Education Ministry profiled students of dershanes — private institutes that offer examination prep classes — and schools close to the Hizmet movement.
The removal of prep schools, however, remains an unsettled dispute, with opponents to the bill saying that without eliminating standardized testing for university entrance, the move will only serve to hamper the poorer high school students’ plans to attend universities, as socioeconomic disparity shows itself in exam results.
During the event, Maria Rowena Sanchez who is Philippian ambassador to Turkey, made a speech. “This program, held by the people from different language, religion and culture, shows us what is important is love in heart not the differences among us,” said Sanchez adding that he extended his thanks to devoted teachers in Turkish schools.
In his remarks, Professor Nasir said, “I’ve been to many schools in the past 40 years. The best one among them, I believe, is Turkish Hope School. The Turkish people are not into money. They are supporting their families and doing their best for others at the same time, which presents a good example for my people.”
Feliciano Belmonte, speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, received in his office Malik Gencer, general manager of Fountain Schools, Ferhat Kazkondu, president of Pacific Dialogue Foundation and Merve Ozkan, Turkish Olympics coordinator in the Philippines.
Attending opening ceremony of the sixth Turkish school founded by a group of volunteers to cement ties between two countries, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni expressed his joy over the attempt of Turkey’s elite entrepreneurs who played key roles in establishment of a wide network of schools across the African continent in order to boost inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.
Independent deputies who attended the Pakistani leg of the annual International Turkish Olympiads, held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Monday evening, have praised the event, stating that the event itself is the best response to unpleasant voices against the Hizmet movement.
The education bill is just a message to a specific audience. It turned out to be the first step in the destruction of the Hizmet movement [inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen]. The new bill [on dershanes] is not limited to prep schools. It aims to almost “reestablish” the Ministry of Education [by reassigning thousands of officials].