Who Will Teach Christian Religion Classes in Turkey?

Garo Paylan, an administrative at Turkey’s Armenian schools, commented on Education Minister’s introduction of Christian religion classes in minority schools. 

Paylan said while he found the step positive, it had no place in practice. 

“Who will teach this course? For Greeks, the Theological School (Ruhban Okulu) is closed. There is no independent institution for the Armenian community, neither for Jewish people. They existed before but now they are closed or have no function now.”

During an interview with Habertürk newspaper, Education Minister Nabi Avcı siad that they would introduce Christian religion classes in minority schools. 

“I signed it today. There will be Christian religion classes for students with Christian background. We have minority schools here. Students who study there will also be able to learn their religion,” he said. 

Collaboration between institutions

Some of the highlights from Paylan’s comments are as follows: 

“There is no education in Turkey’s theological faculties on Christianity. And there are no Christian graduates either. In practice, Arminian teachers teach religion courses in minority schools. 

“We must be able to have institutions to educate our theologists. A solution must be found on educators.

“Then the system must be improved. Only after that, we can seriously take it to the agenda. 

“If a student wants to learn about Christianity, an education basis must be founded. 

“This can be built by institutions. There are patriarchies for Armenians and Greeks. For Jewish, they have their own Chief Rabbi. If the government wants to have a selective course on religion, it needs to create a collaboration with these institutions and form new administrative units.(YY/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.