Turkish group announces incentives for schools in Pakistan

Islamabad : After formally taking control of all educational institutions previously linked to cleric Fethullah Gulen's organisation, the Turkish Maarif Foundation has announced incentives for students in Pakistan.

“Tuition fee of the schools will be decreased by 20 per cent for all students compared to the current levels of fees in line with the Pakistani Supreme Court's orders,” member of the TMF executive board Mahmut Mustafa Ozdil told reporters here.

The TMF recently assumed the management of all education institutions in Pakistan once linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation, the group behind the 2016 failed coup in Turkey. The development came in line with the Supreme Court's orders.

Accompanied by country director of the foundation Selahattin Batur, Ozdil said while all current Pakistani employees at the schools would continue their work, a performance-based incentive system would be established and scholarships and free education would be provided for successful students.

He said a special quota for scholarships would be offered to orphans and high- achieving yet economically-disadvantaged students after the approval of Pakistani authorities.

“Successful students will have the opportunity to study in Turkey for further education in the fields that Pakistan needs expertise at the level of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate level with scholarships," he said.

Ozdil said in line with the relevant Turkish legislation, the diplomas obtained from FETO affiliated schools had no validity in Turkey.

"As of now, the graduates of these schools cannot apply for enrolment or scholarships in Turkish universities and institutions. If the Pak-Turk Schools are transferred to the TMF, students of these schools will not face any such interdiction.

"Successful students will have the opportunity to study in Turkey for further education in the fields that Pakistan needs expertise at level of undergraduate, graduate and doctorate level with scholarships."

TMF country director Selahattin Batur said according to higher education legislation in Turkey, all students of the TMF schools were exempted from tuition fees of state universities.

He said the graduates of Pak-Turk schools would be guided in the process of selection of the most proper higher education institutions in Turkey, Pakistan or other countries through a career tracking and guidance system that would be established by the TMF.

"For high quality and modern education at international standards, we will invest to improve physical and technical capacities of the schools, which includes modern educational and technological tools as well as logistical competence," he said.

Batur said principals, teachers, mentors, and administrative staff could be hired among Turkish, Pakistani and citizens of third countries to improve the capacity of the schools according to national and international needs and standards.

He said the local Pakistani teachers and staff members currently employed at the schools would continue their work following transfer in accordance with competence and experience.

"We will employ new Pakistani principals and teachers if the need arises," he said adding that training and orientation programmes will be organised in every school to increase productivity and harmony between Pakistani, Turkish and other international teachers.

Batur said the TMF had planned to increase the dormitories’ capacities and would provide free dormitories to successful schoolchildren to ensure equal opportunities and education for all parts of society.

"We will prepare talented students for international prestigious events and tournaments and students will be reinforced for them. Also, the extracurricular activities that include scientific, cultural and social events, competitions, as well as education and motivational camps, will be organised," he said.

The country director of the foundation said the activities to be held in Pakistan, Turkey or any other country would improve the students’ psychological, physical and scientific educational development.

"The conditions or libraries and labs at Pak-Turk schools will be improved and enhanced in order to provide international education standards, while internship and training camps in Turkey will be facilitated for a number of students that will be determined annually," he said.