Young Turks may no longer be able to attend French schools in Istanbul and Ankara, by decision of the government led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This announcement follows a series of disagreements between the French and Turkish education systems. In a letter sent to parents on Friday, July 12, the French Embassy in Ankara informed them of the risk of seeing, as early as “the 2024-2025 school year”, Turkish students banned from enrolling in French schools. However, they make up the overwhelming majority of the 2,000 students who are welcomed there.
At the heart of the disagreement: Ankara’s demand, for several years, for a principle of “reciprocity”. The Turkish government wants to be able to open Turkish schools recognized by the State in France, just as there are French schools in Turkey. Faced with France’s refusal, Turkey suddenly hardened its position on July 2. In a “verbal note from the Turkish authorities”, they warned that, in the absence of an agreement, French schools would henceforth be prohibited from accepting young Turks. “These schools were created for the children of employees of diplomatic missions, but they have started to accept Turkish students. This is against the law”, said the Turkish Minister of Education, Yusuf Tekin, in an interview published by the newspaper Haberturk.
He even denounced, this Saturday, July 13, the “arrogance” of France. “We must conclude a bilateral agreement, and the problem will be resolved, but they do not want it either. In short, they are arrogant. This is why we have not yet found a solution,” added the minister. “These schools have contributed enormously to the Franco-Turkish bilateral relationship for decades. We are more determined than ever to continue the negotiations with the firm intention of seeing them succeed,” nevertheless promised to AFP the French ambassador to Ankara, Isabelle Dumont.
Adapting French programs to the country
According to a source close to the matter, the Turkish government has also requested that the school curricula followed by French schools in Turkey “now come closer” to those followed in Turkish schools, “for at least some subjects”. However, there is no question of including religious lessons, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to impose in the school curricula, this source specified.
“France was ready to implement what are called integrated courses, already applied by French schools in other countries,” explained this source. These consist, for native students, of following some specifically adapted subjects – such as geography – in the language of the country, in this case in Turkish. “But the Turkish authorities have recently and suddenly “raised their voice and put pressure on”, added this interlocutor.
A parent contacted by AFP, on condition of anonymity, explained that “Turkish parents who opt for these schools want their children to be able to follow a secular and scientific education.” While Turkish programs are increasingly focused on traditional values, morality and family, to the detriment of foreign languages and science courses.