Syriacs attain their own school after 86 years

Syriacs, who have a population of almost 25,000 in Turkey in general, were given back their right to found their own schools, by the administrative court ruling. Turkey's Ministry of Education, or MEB, requested a new curriculum to be prepared, after Syriacs' application to found a nursery school.

Prof. Mehmet Sait Toprak, a faculty member at Department of Syriac Language and Culture at Artuklu University in Mardin, prepared a curriculum that is composed of tales from Syriac literature and some works from children's literature translated to Syriac language.

The Beyoglu Syriac Church of the Virgin Mary Foundation rented a three-story building in Istanbul's Yesilköy district. As approved by the MEB, education is due next week, with a staff of eight, six of which are teachers.

Sait Susin, president of The Beyoglu Syriac Church of the Virgin Mary Foundation stated that they are encouraged by the developments in the last 10 years. "We used to hesitate to speak about these 10-15 years before now. Currently we are able to open up these issues with our Prime Minister and other ministers," said Susin.

Kenan Gürdal, vice president of The Beyoglu Syriac Church of the Virgin Mary Foundation, said Syriac kids have suffered from traumas because they had to speak one language at home but another outside. 'A research among the students of Department of Syriac Language and Culture showed that they weren't able to comprehend anything before their third year at the department. As the issue was resolved after years of dealing, ministry officials and bureaucrats were involved closely,' Gurdal said.

'We will attain our 86-year-old dream, as the Ministry approves our application.'

The nursery-school with an eight-person staff, will accept 60 students this year.