HISTORY OF TURKISH EDUCATION

By Yusuf Bingöl
  • Period: 500 to 900

    Pre-Islamic Period (Before 10th Century)

    Education centered around oral traditions, nomadic lifestyle, and military training. Focus on cultural values, survival skills, and societal structure.
  • Period: 900 to 1200

    Islamic Period (10th–13th Century)

    Introduction of Islamic education with madrasas (religious schools). Emphasis on Arabic, theology, philosophy, and sciences influenced by Islamic scholars.
  • Seljuk Empire (11th–13th Century)
    1000

    Seljuk Empire (11th–13th Century)

    Expansion of madrasas; notable institutions like Nizamiye Madrasas were established. Focus on religious, legal, and philosophical education.
  • Ottoman Empire (14th–19th Century)
    1300

    Ottoman Empire (14th–19th Century)

    Early Period: Education remained religious with madrasas dominating the system. Tanzimat Reforms (19th Century): Introduction of secular schools, teacher training institutes, and modern military academies. Dual system: Coexistence of religious and secular schools.
  • Early Republic Period (1923–1950)

    Early Republic Period (1923–1950)

    1924 Tevhid-i Tedrisat (Unification of Education): Abolition of madrasas; all schools centralized under state control. Adoption of Latin alphabet (1928) and secular curricula. Emphasis on science, modernization, and national identity.

  • Post-1950 Period

    Growth of private schools alongside public education. Increasing emphasis on technical and vocational education.
  • 1980–2000s

    1980–2000s

    Expansion of higher education and establishment of more universities. Implementation of compulsory 8-year education in 1997.

  • 21st Century

    Extension of compulsory education to 12 years (4+4+4 system in 2012). Integration of technology in education through programs like FATİH Project. Continued debates on secular and religious influences in education policy.