Many Turkish Cypriots are annoyed with the school textbooks of the new school year, which have an Islamic approach.
In particular, photos of primary school textbooks circulating on social media show women wearing headscarves and practicing specific professions.
In addition, examples of India and Palestine are given as family models.
What did so-called Ministry of “National Education” say
According to an overview of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs (3.09.2023 kibrisgazetesi.com) the so-called Ministry of National Education of the occupied part of Cyprus issued an announcement regarding the school textbooks and the inclusion of Islamic elements. The announcement states that the criticisms made by the public for the school textbooks would be taken into account and evaluated. But at the same time the modernisation of the education system will carry on, the Ministry added.
According to the Ministry, the school textbooks are being updated every year to make all necessary corrections after having assessed the views of teachers and society.
They are making efforts to adopt a more modern approach in regards to the content of the school textbooks, that is a student-centered and constructive educational approach, the announcement said. Around 10,000 pages and 7,000 images were revised in 65 textbooks.
Islamic indoctrination to minors
Most Turkish Cypriots require secularism.
It is recalled that last January Turkish Cypriots took to the streets to protest against the “Islamisation” of their community, after Turkey appointed religious authorities to preach conservative Islamic rhetoric to those who attend the mosques.
Source and photos: sigmalive.com
