Turkish Kurds struggle to get language classes as government hints at new peace talks
Kurdish families cant get promised language education in Turkish schools despite decade-old right. Governmentʼs recent peace talks proposal brings attention to Kurdish cultural rights issues
About twelve years ago Turkey let Kurdish kids take two-hours of language lessons but today its not working as planned (and many parents dont know about this option at all)
The situation is tricky — schools say they cant find teachers or there arent enough students in class. Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit from DEM party thinks its a big deal: Kurdish classes help keep culture alive and make society more fair-minded
The Kurdish peoples right to education in their mother tongue is essential for the expression of their cultural identity and social equality
In south-east Turkey Remezan Alan who teaches Kurdish at uni tried to get these classes for his kids but no luck. The education ministry says they need 10 students minimum; however they dont explain why many schools still cant provide teachers
- Some families are scared to ask for classes
- Many schools dont have Kurdish teachers
- Parents worry about being labeled as trouble-makers
- Kids cant read or write in their family language
The whole thing got more attention when the government started talking about new peace talks — its been nine years since the last try failed. Meanwhile Hudai Morarslan from teachers union says only 13 cities have these classes: “Everyone is afraid to ask“
In Istanbul Nevzat Yesilbagdan tried three times to get Kurdish lessons for his kids but the school kept saying no. His neighbor Ihsan Yildiz has to translate between his mom and kids because grandma only speaks Kurdish; its making family talks hard-going
