British Intervention in the Turkish Cypriot Education (1920-1935)

Gunes B., ÇAPRAZ H., ERDÖNMEZ C.

CTAD-CUMHURIYET TARIHI ARASTIRMALARI DERGISI, vol.14, no.28, pp.111-133, 2018 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 28
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Journal Name: CTAD-CUMHURIYET TARIHI ARASTIRMALARI DERGISI
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.111-133
  • Süleyman Demirel University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study analyzes the changes in the education administration the Turkish Cypriot community went through between 1920 and 1935. These changes were introduced by the Colonial Government in Cyprus established by the British Empire. The Colonial Government strove to create a social structure compatible with the policies of the British Empire through the education acts enacted in 1920, 1929 and 1933, respectively. In this regard, some Turkish Cypriot community representatives were discharged from the committees and institutions of education. English teaching in the schools was generalised. Except for visuals, chants, celebrations and posters symbolising the British Empire, no item evoking the national identity was allowed to be displayed in the schools. The curricula of courses such as history and geography were modified by the Colonial Government with the aim of shifting the focus away from Turkey- centered history perception.