Pupovci for Erdogan schools: Mariff Foundation Aims to Propay Turkish Education

Kosovo Government chief Ramush Haradinaj visited a Turkish school in Prizren on Monday, opened at the request of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan. There, Haradinaj chose to say big words, even commend the school's plan-program. Education expert Dukagjin Pupovci says Turkish schools are not the best in the world. He acknowledges that their aim is to counter the schools funded by Fetullah Gulen operating in Kosovo.

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj did not spare words of caution during his stay when the opening of the Mariff elementary school in Prizren took place on Monday. He said this school has a high level of education and that the opening of the same ones is enjoyed by all.

Dukagjin Popovci, expert on education issues, told Express that schools supported by the Turkish government through the Mariff Foundation are aimed at propaganding Turkish education. Popovci says these schools are secular and that they are not Jewish or religious, even though months earlier the Ministry of Education in Turkey had removed the theory of evolution from the curriculum. The Turkish opposition had linked the move to Erdogan's Islamic agenda.

“Yes, it is not the Jewish school, but it is a comprehensive Turkish school, but the Turkish government supports it does not mean anything but is a non-religious school. They have the quality of private schools, according to the law, private school has the right to open every physical and legal person, local and foreign in this case, and this Mariff foundation behind which the Turkish government stands, even with the certainty that the aim of this Mariff foundation is to propagan Turkish education side of the world”, Pupovci said.

In Kosovo since the post-war, schools of another Turk, Fetullah Gulen, once friend and now enemy of the Turkish president have been operated.

Gulen, who is an influential Muslim clergyman, is accused of standing behind the failed coup that took place last year in Turkey and of trying to destroy Erdogan's regime. In schools conducted by the Muslim clergyman, the children of Kosovo politicians, including President Hashim Thaci's son, have also been educated.

Popovci, says even opening schools by the Turkish government is aimed at countering the other foundation, namely Gulen's.

“... so it's a certain goal but these are the secular schools”, he says.

Prime Minister Haradinaj said on Monday that this school provides opportunities for children in Kosovo to learn with high standards and a good education programme. Popovci says there is little knowledge of their plans-programs.

I have no knowledge of their plans, but these schools are as good as Turkey's good education system. Turkey has a relatively solid education system is not better in the world, but it is more advanced than our”, he added.

However, the Turkish government, with increased pressure, has consistently called on Kosovo to close all Fetullah Gulen schools.

Schools that have been required to close in Kosovo for more than the sixth time by Erdogan are schools where many children of politicians, Kosovo leaders, and other public faces in the country are being educated. /GazetaExpress