Religious education policies in Turkish politics (1923-1960)

The complex interplay of religious education in Turkey during the transformation process from 1923 to 1950 and the effects of the transition to multi-party-political life is of particular importance. This period was characterised by structural changes beginning in the last years of the Ottoman Empire, the emergence of the Republic of Turkey and significant socio-political shifts from a religiously oriented society to a secular society on the road from empire to nation-state. In the early years of the Republic, the establishment of a secular public education system was an important turning point and led to a reduction in the role of religious education within the state framework. However, bureaucratic control continued in various forms and the quality of education remained a matter of debate in Turkey. The rise of religion in Turkish politics following the Second World War with the transition to a multi-party-political system and the top-down imposition of secularism during the founding years of the nation state have led to a lack of assimilation of some republican values in society. The complex relationship between secularism and religion significantly shaped the political landscape of the young Turkish Republic. During this period, intensive efforts were made to educate citizens in line with the principles of the regime and to mould their values and beliefs in harmony with the secular ideology of the state. The transition to a multi-party system, which began in 1946 and officially took place in 1950, brought about a diverse political landscape with many ideologically different parties. This transition process had profound effects on Turkish democracy and the political tendencies of the public. The positions of political parties on religious-secular issues have played a central role in shaping the broader left-right ideology in Turkey. The transition to a multi-party system has leftan indelible mark on Turkey's education system and political landscape. The establishment of a secular public education system and the top-down imposition of secularism significantly influenced educational policies and practices throughout the period. The rise of religion in Turkish politics underlined the role of religion in shaping the political landscape. The transition to a multi-party system resulted in a diverse political arena in which parties positioned themselves on religious-secular issues, shaping the broader ideology of Turkish democracy and the political leanings of the population. To understand Turkey's modern history and the complex interplay of education and politics in this particular period, this thesis will focus on religious education across educational policies between 1945 and 1950 and will examine the effects of multi-party politics on religious education while addressing the secular republic's reforms in the field of religious education.