Afghan-Turk schools handed over to Turkish ministry

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The administration of Afghan-Turk schools was formally handed over to the education department of Turkey on Monday.

The agreement in this connection was signed at such a time when the Turkish government had recently demanded of Kabul to close these schools.

Afghan and Turk officials signed the accord in a ceremony in Kabul Monday.

Afghan education ministry officials said that the transfer of the schools was aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of the schools. The education ministries of both the countries would organize the activities of the schools.

According to a press release issued by education ministry, the education department of Turkey is responsible to increase the number of schools, increasing its quality and provide modern equipments as per a 10-year plan. The government of Turkey would allocate $5 million and $20 million for the project in two phases, the press release stated.

Addressing the ceremony, Afghan acting education minister Dr Muhammad Ibrahim Shinwari said no changes would be brought in the curriculum of schools. More facilities would be provided to students compared to the past.

The entry test for admissions in these schools would be taken throughout Afghanistan, he said. The school fee would be dropped down by 20 percent, he added. The children of the martyred security personnel of Afghanistan would be given free education in the schools, he maintained.

Shinwari said the number of such schools would be increased to 28. Ten new technical and professional schools would be established. The number of students would be increased to 18000, he said. The capacity of hostels for girls and boys would be increased by 60 percent, he said. The students of districts would also be allowed to utilize the hostels, he added.

According to the press release issued by the education ministry, 10 percent students of these schools would be given scholarships in higher education, including masters and doctorate degrees in Turkey.

A joint administrative team of both the countries would be formed to implement the decisions taken in the agreement, the acting education minister said.

On the occasion, Turkish Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz pledged to support the Afghan education process. The decisions taken in the accord would be given due respect, he added.

The Afghan education ministry lauded the performance of Afghan-Turk schools in Afghanistan and stressed that thousands of the students of these institutes would be helpful in the meaningful investment of the country.

The accord was signed at such a time when some officials of Turkey recently said that the Afghan-Turk schools were linked to a dissident Turkish leader, Fethullah Gulen. They had demanded of the Afghan government to shut down these schools.

Fethullah Gulen was accused of involvement in the recent failed attempt of coup in Turkey. The government of Turkey has arrested hundreds of supporters of Fethullah Gulen.