Turkey and France clash over status of French schools in Turkey

Ankara raised the stakes on Saturday in a dispute with France over the status of French schools in Turkey, which could result in Turkish students being barred from attending these institutions just six weeks before the new school term. 

The Turkish Minister of Education, Yusuf Tekin, accused France of arrogance and failing to engage in dialogue with Turkey during a visit to Erzurum in eastern Turkey.

"We are not like the countries you colonized. We are a sovereign state. You must act according to our conditions if you want to teach here," Tekin declared, criticizing France’s approach.

In a letter sent to parents on Friday, the French Embassy in Ankara warned of the risk that Turkish students could be denied access to French schools in Istanbul and Ankara, where they form the majority of the student body.

The core of the disagreement lies in Ankara's demand for "reciprocity," seeking permission to establish Turkish schools in France that are recognized by the French government. Tekin highlighted that "legitimate status" must be granted to these French schools, adding that Turkey would then request specific concessions for Turkish citizens in France.

Tekin criticized French authorities for obstructing Turkish citizens' requests regarding language and cultural courses in France while acting unilaterally in Turkey. He warned that unless France accepts Turkish conditions, they might have to reconsider the operation of these schools.

Isabelle Dumont, the French Ambassador to Ankara, expressed hope for a resolution, emphasizing the significant contribution of these schools to Franco-Turkish relations over the decades. "We are more determined than ever to continue negotiations with the firm intention of reaching an agreement," Dumont told AFP.

However, Tekin reiterated that the admission of Turkish students to French schools, originally intended for the children of diplomatic staff, was illegal under Turkish law. "A bilateral agreement is needed to solve the problem, but they do not want it," he asserted.

Negotiations, ongoing since the start of the year, have yet to yield an agreement. Without a deal by the start of the school year, these institutions will be unable to accept new Turkish students, although currently enrolled students can continue their education. This restriction would significantly reduce the number of students at these schools, jeopardizing their future.

Parents of students at Pierre Loti in Istanbul and Charles de Gaulle in Ankara are deeply concerned. The minister's assurance that current students will continue their education offers little comfort. "I am worried for my two daughters in middle and high school. 

We are considering alternatives but do not want to return to the Turkish education system," one anonymous parent from the French high school in Ankara said. Another parent, also anonymous, was "scandalized" by Tekin's remarks, feeling that he was disregarding the well-being of the children.

The Turkish government has demanded that the curricula of French schools align more closely with Turkish school programs in certain subjects. This requirement has raised concerns among parents and educators, especially given the recent emphasis on "traditional values" in Turkish curricula at the expense of foreign languages and science courses.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled a new educational program in early June, promoting family values and moral order. This move has sparked criticism from teachers' unions, who accuse the government of Islamizing education. 

The new program includes optional courses on "the Holy Quran, the life of the Prophet," and other Islamic studies, provoking outrage among educators who argue that it contradicts secular, scientific, and democratic principles of education.

As tensions escalate, the future of French schools in Turkey remains uncertain, with significant implications for Turkish students and bilateral relations between the two nations.