Education Ministry allocates 1.2 billion lira for overseas education agency

Photo: Maarif Foundation

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The Ministry of National Education has allocated 1.2 million lira (135 million USD) for the Maarif Foundation, a state-funded education organization operating overseas, according to the foundation's head.

In response to a parliamentary question by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Murat Bakan, Maarif Foundation Chair Birol Akgün said the foundation has received about 3 billion lira from the ministry since its foundation in mid-2016.

The foundation currently operates in 44 countries with 361 schools, 13 education centers and 43 dormitories, according to answer sent to Bakan.

The opposition deputy accused the government of using the foundation to "transfer country's education budget to its partizans."

"With whom and what activities does the Maarif Foundation carry out abroad? What contribution do they make to Turkey and education?The resources of our country are wasted," Bakan remarked.

He also pointed out the recent student protests against high housing prices and insufficient dorm capacities, saying that "If this budget is used for building dormitories, no students would be left without a dorm in two years." (DŞ/VK)