TURKEY:INNOVATION AND TRADITIONBy Hasan Simsek and Ali Yildirim

Presenter: Denis Katusiime

Some basic information on TurkeyAt the boundary of Europe and AsiaBy 2000, the population of Turkey was

67,803,000.Founded as the Republic of Turkey on

October 29, 1923.Received independence under the leadership

of Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk).

Four Major Periods through which the history of Turkish education can be understood

The Ottoman Period (Prior to 1923)The Modernization Era (1923-1950)The Quest for Democracy (1950-1980)The Crises Created by Dichotomies (1980-

present).

Education in the Ottoman periodFormation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.Religious teaching dominates the education

systemFoundations finance and govern schools with

religious orientation.Government Schools influenced by western

education.Foundations and Organizations outside Turkey

finance private school.Girls and boys at all levels study separately.Education is not given high priority.

The Modernization Era (1923-50)A full-scale restructuring of educational

institution begins.Education is for social, cultural and economic

revolution in Turkey.Religious system of the Ottoman period is seen

as being hostile to change &modernization.Public schools are free for all studentsNeed to transform all sectors of societySchools with religious orientation are closedThe Unification of Educational Law

Modern era continuedPrimary education is compulsory.Co-education begins (1924).Science (most reliable guide in life)Turkey invites John Dewey to study the

school system and make recommendations.In 1927 Ataturk declares laicism

(Secularism).Constitution-Islam is no longer a state

religion.Latin alphabet as opposed to Arabic alphabet

Democracy and Turmoil (1950-80)Threat of communism and promotion of

Nationalism in school curricula &textbooks.Village landlords gain more political power.Religious teaching returns to school.Emphasis on economic growth &democratization of

society in policies.Education as a transformative tool in society is

ignored.Deterioration of education and schools in a messSchool facilities are no longer efficient and students

and teachers find their way in the political camp.

Dichotomies in Education (1980-present)Public support military to avoid anarchyIncreased centralization in the educationCurriculum and textbooks become

nationalistic (history, geography &biology).MONE criticized for giving in to political

pressure.Students needs and interest not addressedGrowth of more private institutions

Dichotomies continued.MONE started reforms but it could not

maintain them (insufficient classroom space for more courses, inadequate counseling to guide students in course selection, confusion between stakeholders, and rigidities in a centralized system).

Lack of confidence in government to implement educational change

Adjustment to EU norms in terms of class size, departments, training etc.

Traditional Approach to EducationSubject matter is the main concernEmphasis on teaching methodsThe student is simply a learnerStudents as deficient and in need of

discipline and pressure to keep learning.Children go to school to learn what they do

not know.Individual interests, motivations and

psychological states are not given attention.Teachers are authorities and not guides.

Progressive Approach to educationFocuses on children’s problem-solving ability

and individual interests and needs. Teaching methods used differently

Focus on how to think not what to think.Teachers are intellectual guides/facilitators in

the problem-solving process not presenters of knowledge.

Raises people who think freely and flexibly, who are democratic and secular.

Unrealistic reformsEstablishing 41 universities in three years.Changing the entire elementary and

secondary school in two to three years.Policy transfer (Finland and USA)Lack of experts and the financial power to

implement the reforms.There was no support from teachers

ConclusionTurkey made a lot of reforms in education

because schools, teachers and infrastructure increased.

Education reform in Turkey is important but it should be gradual. Do not expect to a system in one day.

The Turkish people should agree on how religion and secularism can accommodate each other in one state without overstepping other people’s values.

Whatever reform is put in place, it should be contextualized (policy transfer).