Turkish schools in Afghanistan become hope for orphaned students

The Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF) provides education and covers all expenses of many needy orphans in Afghanistan for a better future.

Afghan-Turkish Maarif schools operate in a total of 46 kindergartens, primary, secondary and high schools and seven education centers in eight provinces of Afghanistan.

In addition, 11 dormitories belonging to the foundation serve students. After the Taliban seized power, three new education centers were opened in the country, and 6,300 students, 40% of whom are girls, are receiving an education there.

Those who want to receive an education in these schools through scholarships are first subjected to the Maarif Entrance Examination (MAGIS), and if they are successful, they are accepted to the schools.

Scholarships are awarded to nearly 100 orphan students every year with insufficient financial means. All expenses of 55 of the students, including education, dormitories, clothing and stationery, are covered by the foundation.

- ‘Bursting with happiness’

Meryem Nurzey, a student in 10th grade, got a high score on the MAGIS and was entitled to a full scholarship at the girls' high school in northwestern Herat province.

Saying that her father, a truck driver, died in the conflict between the Taliban and government forces 13 years ago, Meryem recounted how she got accepted at a Turkish Maarif school.

"I went to the school where my aunt, who is a teacher, was teaching, and I saw the exam announcements of Afghan-Turkish schools. I started preparing for the exam and I won (a scholarship at) the school. My mother told me for the first time that I had won. At that moment, I was bursting with happiness because it was a dream to study in such a school. TMF took care of me and provided a free education. Thus, my life suddenly changed. All my expenses at school are covered by TMF."

Nurzey,16, said she wants to study medicine and become a doctor.

“If possible, I want to study abroad, and I want to serve my people in this field."

Another student, Sayyid Habib Huseyni, who is studying in 12th grade at Afghan-Turkish Maarif Schools - Herat Boys High School, is one of the orphans who receives an education with a full scholarship.

Saying that he lost his father 15 years ago due to illness, Huseyni added: "I am very happy to study at this school because they provide us with ample opportunities and we can get a better education in this school. Likewise, they offer ample opportunities for us to study abroad better.”

“I want to study computer engineering in the future. After improving myself and getting a good education in Turkey or another foreign country, I want to return and serve my people.”

- Maarif plans to open new centers

Salih Sagir, the representative of the Turkish Maarif Foundation in Afghanistan, said they have plans to open new education centers, noting the annual support given to orphans reached $100,000 and that this support will continue.

Sagir added that orphans will play an active role between Turkey and Afghanistan in the future. "Since these kids are a bit alienated and ignored, since they aren't provided the right and nice opportunities, we see that these institutions, with their campuses, teachers, school administration and of course Turkey behind them, make students feel much stronger."

TMF schools have proven to be among the best educational institutions in Afghanistan. Students who graduate from these schools in the university exams held in Afghanistan are placed in university departments with high scores.

Dari and Pashto, the official languages of Afghanistan, are taught in the schools, but courses such as math, chemistry, physics and biology are taught in English.

In addition, students learn Turkish and Arabic lessons are also offered at the schools if requested.

The Maarif Foundation is a Turkish government agency established to replace schools linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) abroad in the wake of the 2016 defeated coup attempt in Turkey.