Breaking News: Decision from the Ministry of National Education regarding French schools

As the crisis between the Ministry of National Education (MEB) and the French Embassy regarding the legal status of the French Charles de Gaulle and Pierre Loti schools operating in Turkey continues, the MEB has announced its final decision regarding these schools.

Here is the text of the decision:

"As is known, educational and instructional activities in our country are carried out under the supervision and control of the state in accordance with our Constitution, and the provisions regarding school types, student admission, and enrollment are regulated by relevant laws. In this context, the Basic Law of National Education No. 1739 stipulates that the duty of supervision and control in education rests with the Ministry of National Education, while the Primary Education and Training Law No. 222 mandates that Turkish citizens must continue their education in Turkish primary schools. Furthermore, the Private Educational Institutions Law No. 5580, within the same scope, contains provisions regarding the types of private schools and the students who can be admitted to these schools. In this sense, the Republic of Turkey, with a democratic understanding that sets an example for the world, ensures that a total of 328 private international schools, minority schools, and schools opened by foreigners operating in our country conduct their education and training in line with the legal regulations listed above, by taking the necessary measures to ensure they operate within the boundaries of a state of law.

However, there has been a need for a statement regarding issues that have occupied the public agenda in recent days concerning schools that operate without legal status and accept 'Turkish students.' In this context, the points agreed upon during long negotiations with the relevant parties regarding the status of the Charles de Gaulle and Pierre Loti schools, which were determined to be operating in this capacity, are stated below:

It has been decided to begin work on a comprehensive educational cooperation agreement that also includes the learning of 'Turkish' for Turkish students living in France, and that negotiations will continue with the aim of completing this as soon as possible.

Until an international agreement providing for legal status is finalized, no new Turkish students will be enrolled in the aforementioned schools. Within this framework, it has been recorded that no new Turkish students will be enrolled in the kindergarten and first grade of primary school at the Charles de Gaulle and Pierre Loti schools starting from January 1, 2024, covering the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond, and similarly, no new transfer students will be accepted into intermediate grades.

As of January 2024, the list of existing Turkish students in the schools and information regarding schools branded by the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) will be submitted to our Ministry before the start of the next academic year.

Furthermore, until these schools attain a legal status, 'Turkish language, Turkish culture, Turkish literature, Turkish history, and geography' courses at the relevant grade levels may be taught by teachers who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey and appointed by our Ministry. The education and training processes of these schools will be monitored and inspected by Ministry officials to be assigned to offices to be opened within their premises and by other relevant units of our State.

We thank all the officials who contributed to the cooperation and constructive attitude during the negotiation process and respectfully announce this to the public."

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Charles de Gaulle high school in Ankara and the Pierre Loti high school in Istanbul are affiliated with the French embassy in Turkey. Both schools are managed directly by the French Ministry of National Education and the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE). The schools' education and training decisions are made and supervised directly by the AEFE. The curriculum is organized in harmony with AEFE institutions providing education all over the world.

The two French schools do not have official approval from Turkey. In this situation, neither school is officially recognized by the MEB. The dispute between the parties begins at this point.

Following meetings held between the MEB and the French embassy in December, news reports emerged at the beginning of 2024 that Turkish citizen students would no longer be accepted into the two French schools.

On July 12, a written statement was sent to parents signed by Sylvie Lemasson, General Manager of the French Cultural Center in Turkey and Counselor for Cultural Cooperation.

The statement indicated that a note had been delivered stating that if the draft agreement sent to them by the MEB on July 2 was not accepted, Turkish students could not be accepted starting from the 2024-2025 academic year, and that students currently studying at the school would be transferred to Turkish schools.

On July 13, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin said at the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Erzurum Provincial Presidency Expanded Provincial Advisory Council Meeting that they would initiate the necessary legal procedures if the French authorities did not accept the conditions presented.

News Source: 12punto