ORAL HISTORY PROJECT Our Grandparents’ School Our Grandparents’ School Akdeniz Palmiye Primary School Akdeniz Palmiye Primary School TURKEY TURKEY2010

The pupils in our school interviewed their grandparents about their school life when they were young. The pupils in our school interviewed their grandparents about their school life when they were young. You will see information of education system in the past and now in our country. You will see information of education system in the past and now in our country.

İnterview with a grandfather

Hello my name is Yılmaz Güler and I’m 68 years old. I was born in Konya, Turkey I went to the elementary school in Karaman On my first day at school, I was six years old. At the age of 11, I finished elementary school There were 50 pupils in my class, boys and girls, they were years old. I had one teacher. My subjects were: Turkish,maths, geography, history, science,sports,art,music and agriculture. Our school day lasted 7 hours and we worked at school with a little blackboard with chalk, map,agriculture tools... I had a school uniform- a black apron and a white collar. While studying at secondary school I worked near a tailor and after finishing the school I studied medicine at university and became a doctor.

We learnt a lot from grandparents

Assimilation of our grandparents’ inquiry. Most of the grandparents in our school were born south and south of east region in Turkey.Some of them are from Bulgaria Bosna Hesnek and Germany. Most of the grandparents in our school were born south and south of east region in Turkey.Some of them are from Bulgaria Bosna Hesnek and Germany.

All the boys went to the school but some of the grandmothers couldn’t go to the school. All the boys went to the school but some of the grandmothers couldn’t go to the school. They started the primary school at the age of 6-7 and finished at the age of They started the primary school at the age of 6-7 and finished at the age of

There were nearly students in the classroom.The age group was different if they studied in the village school. There were nearly students in the classroom.The age group was different if they studied in the village school. The boys and the girls were in the same class. The boys and the girls were in the same class.

Most of them have one class teacher in primary school. Most of them have one class teacher in primary school. They studied Turkish, Math,Science, History,Geography,Art,Music,PE,Religion.. They studied Turkish, Math,Science, History,Geography,Art,Music,PE,Religion.. They started the school early morning at 7 and finished at 12.The others had afternoon school. They started the school early morning at 7 and finished at 12.The others had afternoon school.

They had books,notebooks,pencils,crayons,ink etc. They had books,notebooks,pencils,crayons,ink etc. They wore a black school uniform. They wore a black school uniform.

This is the pencilcase and ruler used in the past

The photo of the oldest school in our town

Most of the grandparents worked as a offical worker in the goverment,farmer after finishing the school,the boys went to army at the age of 21.Some of them continued their education at university. Most of the grandparents worked as a offical worker in the goverment,farmer after finishing the school,the boys went to army at the age of 21.Some of them continued their education at university.

Before the foundation of Turkey , there was either religious or military education in the Ottoman Empire. Before the foundation of Turkey , there was either religious or military education in the Ottoman Empire.

After the declaration of the republic – 1923, many revolutions were made in different fields to develop young Turkey. The foundation of the Ministery of National Education – 1924, was one of the most important revolutions.

In the Ottoman time and early days of Turkey we used the Arabic alphabet.

In 1928, we made a new alphabet composed of Latin letters.

Before 1920s, few girls were let to go to school in addition, girls and boys used to be educated in different schools. Before 1920s, few girls were let to go to school in addition, girls and boys used to be educated in different schools. Making a new law in 1920, more girls started to go to school. Moreover, boys and girls started to be educated in the same schools at the same time. Making a new law in 1920, more girls started to go to school. Moreover, boys and girls started to be educated in the same schools at the same time.

23EDUCATION Official Language: Turkish Alphabet: Latin Alphabet, since 1928 Academic Year: September through June Duration of Schooling: Compulsory Schooling: 8 years (ages 6-14)

24 FORMAL EDUCATION: Pre-School (0-6) Kindergarten Primary School (6-14) Public School Private Schools Regional boarding schools Special Education Schools Middle Schools and Lycees (14-17) Middle Schools General Lycees Evening Middle Schools Science Lycees Anatolian High Schools

25 NON-FORMAL EDUCATION: Apprenticeship training centers Public training centers Practical trade Schools Adult Technical Training centers

26 Academic Calendar: The academic year generally begins in late September or early October and extends through to early June, with some variations between urban and rural areas. The academic year generally begins in late September or early October and extends through to early June, with some variations between urban and rural areas. The school day comprised of a morning and an afternoon session except in overcrowded schools, where a split session may be required. The school day comprised of a morning and an afternoon session except in overcrowded schools, where a split session may be required. Schools are in session for five days a week. There is also a two-week winter break in February. Schools are in session for five days a week. There is also a two-week winter break in February. Universities and colleges usually organize the academic year into two semesters, the first extending from October to January, the second from February/March to June/July. Universities and colleges usually organize the academic year into two semesters, the first extending from October to January, the second from February/March to June/July.

TurkishTurkish system mandates 8 years of primary education between the ages of 6 and 14, For year olds three or more years of secondary education are available in public, distance-learning, and vocational high schools. primary educationhigh schools Turkishprimary educationhigh schools

In Turkey, students have to wear a uniform. However, schools have a chance to make their own uniform.

About 95% of students attend public schools, but inadequacies of the public system increasingly motivates middle-class parents to seek private education. About 95% of students attend public schools, but inadequacies of the public system increasingly motivates middle-class parents to seek private education.

Today, there are about 15 million students are educated at primary schools, high schools and universities. Today, there are about 15 million students are educated at primary schools, high schools and universities.