Educational institutions and activities in adana province in the period of Abdulhamid II (1876 -1909)

This study deals with the educational institutions and the activities of these institutions in Adana during Sultan Abdülhamid II's reign. The influence of Turkish-Islamic culture has been seen since the first moments when Turks and Muslims settled in the Çukurova region. Since the Ramazanoğulları rule in the region, there have been educational institutions such as schools and madrasahs. These institutions continued increasingly during the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century, with modernization, institutions providing education in the new style, as well as in the old style schools, became widespread, especially in the capital and in the provinces. Adana Province has also had its share of these. Abdülhamid II, who reigned for 33 years during the difficult times of the Ottoman Empire, never neglected educational issues within the bounds of possibility of government. Educational institutions at many levels were built in Adana, Mersin, İçil, Cebel-i Bereket, Kozan sanjaks, which are among the sanjaks of Adana Province, and in the districts of these sanjaks. Instead of primary schools, modern educational institutions such as primary schools, junior high schools and high schools, etc. at the secondary school level are found in this region, too. In addition, the reformatory in neighborhood was converted into Adana Hamidiye Industrial School and vocational studies were carried out. There has been an increase in the number of educational institutions built by foreigners and non-muslims. This study aims to contribute to the field about educational institutions and activities in Adana Province between 1876 and 1909. Key Words: Adana Province, education-teaching, school, primary scool in ottoman empire (ibtidai), junior high school in ottoman empire (rüşdiye), high school in ottoman empire (idadi), madrasa.