Gov’t pressures French schools in Turkey after France rejects Ankara-run Maarif schools

Maarif, which was established prior to a coup attempt on July 15, 2016 through legislation in the Turkish parliament, has targeted the closure of educational institutions established by followers of the faith-based Gülen movement since the abortive putsch as part of the foreign policy of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which labels the movement as a terrorist organization and accuses it of orchestrating the failed coup.

The Gülen movement, a worldwide civic initiative inspired by the ideas of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen, strongly denies involvement in the failed putsch and any terrorist activity.

The Maarif Foundation has so far taken over hundreds of schools worldwide that had been established by followers of the Gülen movement as part of the government-led crackdown on the group.

It is now the only organization that has the right to open schools in a foreign country on behalf of the Republic of Turkey. It runs schools for all age groups, from pre-school to university.

Journalist Nuray Babacan wrote for the Gazete Pencere news website that the Turkish Ministry of Education’s inspections of French schools in Ankara and İstanbul have reached a level that disrupts the students’ education. These actions are seen as retaliation for the failed attempt by the Maarif Foundation to establish schools in France.

Babacan said in her article that the Turkish government, under the AKP administration, has targeted French institutions, including Charles de Gaulle School in Ankara and Pierre Loti High School in İstanbul. The schools have faced fines and interference in their curriculums under the guise of inspections.

“This has gone beyond regular inspections; the government is now meddling with the curriculum,” Babacan wrote. “This issue began when Turkey’s attempts to open schools in France were blocked. Now, pressure is being exerted on French schools here, demanding they include religious and ethics courses, follow the Turkish curriculum and employ Turkish teachers.”

This development follows a broader trend of deteriorating relations between Turkey and France, which have experienced fluctuating diplomatic ties. The situation has led to anxiety among students and parents. Both French and Turkish parents have appealed to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to intervene and seek a diplomatic resolution.

Fidan is expected to address this issue during his upcoming visit to France, where discussions are anticipated to focus on resolving the issue before the new academic year begins in September.

In recent years, the Maarif Foundation has received substantial financial support from the Turkish government. Since its inception, the foundation has assumed control of 216 schools in 44 countries and plans to take over more.

Despite the significant funds allocated to Maarif, critics argue that these resources should be directed toward addressing domestic educational challenges, such as overcrowded classrooms and insufficient teacher appointments.

The French government’s resistance to the Maarif Foundation’s expansion is partly due to concerns over the imposition of religious education, which contradicts France’s strict secular education system. In response, Turkey’s increased pressure on French schools within its borders has drawn criticism for potentially politicizing education and affecting the well-being of students and their families.