CHP Deputies: Turkish Schools Abroad are a Source of Pride
Schools opened in foreign countries by Turkish businessmen came to the agenda of the Turkish Parliament, with some deputies calling for an investigation into claims regarding the schools' sponsorship.
"I stand surely for this school," Turkish Parliament Speaker Bülent Arinç said for the school he inaugurated in Sudan in recent days, but some Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies proposed a motion of investigation into the claim that the schools have some "secret sponsors." However, CHP deputies who previously visited the schools say they could not help but weep as they heard foreign students singing the Turkish national anthem. CHP deputies Mesut Değer and Mehmet Yildirim said the state, too, should support these schools.
Thousands of foreign students who will join the Turkish Language Olympiad, to be attended by 100 schools this year, are studying at Turkish schools abroad. The schools, supported by people from all circles, are not appreciated by members of the CHP, which proposed a motion to investigate the schools a few weeks ago, handling the issue in a party assembly report.
The report claims the costs of the schools cannot be "met by any group of citizens." Despite these allegations, CHP deputies who previously saw the schools say the schools are sponsored by Turkish volunteers wishing to contribute in education and these establishments are a source of pride.
CHP Central Administration Board (MYK) member Mesut Değer said he had a positive impression of the Turkish school in Sudan he recently visited. Stating that these schools are very important in terms of reinforcing Turkey's relationships with those countries in the future, Değer said they play a major role in promoting Turkey. "The schools contribute much to promoting Turkey, in mutual relationships and Turkish businessmen's investments abroad. Moreover, the children at the schools learn our language. I believe they should be supported by the state, too."
Stating he saw black children studying together with white at these schools, Değer said he did not see anything against Turkey's "secular educational system." "I saw that a good education is being provided by these schools. They turn out successful students. I think the school in Sudan is high quality. The schools are built by Turkish businessmen and financed by the fees students pay."
CHP Kastamonu deputy Mehmet Yildirim said he had visited Turkish schools in Yemen, India and Mongolia and was proud of them. Emphasizing that he was touched to see foreign children greet them by singing the Turkish national anthem, Yildirim said: "I saw the photo of Atatürk and that all the principles of our republic were taught in schools I visited. I saw they were giving a secular education. Kids were learning Turkish. I am happy to see these."
Stating that he could not help crying when he saw the school in India, Yildirim pointed out that the Turkish language and culture are taught thousands of kilometers away from Turkey. "I saw these schools are doing good things abroad; I was very impressed. I saw Atatürk's photo next that of Gandhi in India. I went to Mongolia and I saw these schools accomplish the mission the Turkish state cannot. The volunteers of education accomplish their mission in more than 100 countries. It is wrong to stand against these educational activities; they must be applauded."
CHP's Yildirim explained his party's reasons for investigating the schools. "I want the motion to be accepted and a commission to be set up because these schools should be investigated and their good activities should be appreciated by all."
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