The national education council is set to discuss the introduction of religious courses to primary schools and kindergartens across Turkey, raising fresh concerns over the rise of religious conservatism in the country.
The suggestion has been made by teachers’ union Eğitim Bir-Sen, which offered to discuss religious courses in primary schools during meetings for the 19th national education council in the southern province of Antalya. The council decided to discuss the proposal during its ongoing meetings, and if it is approved by the council, it will be included in non-binding recommendation letter submitted to the Education Ministry, Doğan News Agency reported.
Religious culture and moral knowledge courses are compulsory for every Turkish student from the fourth grade onward. Religious courses are currently not given to first, second and third graders.
