The Turkish Adult Education System.

Overview & Synopsis

Modern Turkey is considered a bridge between the East and the West. Education in Turkey is operated and financed largely by public expenditures, and public education is free. Adult (nonformal) education is an extension of educational opportunities to people who could not benefit from formal education or who intend to expand their knowledge or skill. Today, adult education is carried out both within and outside the formal educational system by governmental bodies, national institutions, and voluntary organizations. The Ministry of National Education (MNE) organizes literacy courses and several sociocultural activities. Within the framework of formal educational institutions, MNE organizes evening schools and practical courses at all levels. Besides these, there are practical industrial, vocational, and technical schools and training centers. Outside the formal educational framework, MNE has created a large network of Public Education Centers; mobile teams provide courses for village communities. Recent trends are the continuing expansion of programs and services, active involvement of a large number of organizations, and greater integration of formal and nonformal programs. Problems include insufficient professional staff and lack of coordination. (Appendixes include 42 references and 11 charts and tables.) (YLB)