Rushdiye schools in modernization of the Ottomans

In the Ottoman State, the first renovation efforts in the field of the education started at the military schools. The junior high schools (rüşdiye) that were decided to be opened during the period of Sultan Mahmud II are the most important step taken to modernize education in the civil area. Following the rüşdiye schools, military junior high schools and girls junior high schools were opened. The need for teachers arising for both male and female junior high schools opened the way to open teacher schools providing modern education like Dârülmuallimîn and Darülmuallimat. With the General Education Regulation of 1869, education principles of the junior high schools and many other education institution were determined.There were difficulties in finding qualified teachers, proper buildings, course material and equipment for these schools. Progress was slowed down by the decision to make provinces responsible for opening each school due to financial difficulties. In junior high schools providing education with the new method, the course programmes of the girls and boys junior high schools were different. Some courses like French and Geometry were given only in boys junior high schools and some courses like Hand Skills and House Management were given only in girls junior high schools. Despite some similarities, the course programme of the military junior highs schools was different than that of the boys junior high schools. Some changes were made in course programmes of these schools, adding or removing some courses or changing the weekly course hours.At these schools well behaved teachers trying their best for the success of the children were rewarded by various medals and awards while teachers with unbecoming behaviour were punished. Similarly students were rewarded and punished by success and morality thus it was attempted to establish discipline.Ottoman junior high schools played important roles in the Ottoman History of Renovation for modernizing education by the new and modern teaching methods brought to education and for extending the changing mentality to countryside and raising many people for the important positions during the Constitutional Monarch Period.Key Words:1-Ottoman2-Education3-Rushdiye4-School5-Modernization