Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan looks to give momentum AKP’s efforts of Kurdish Inıtiative to solve the Kurdish conflict by declaring plans to make Kurdish an elective class from the fourth grade on at Turkish schools.

Ankara / NationalTurk – The Turkish government led by Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) will introduce Kurdish elective classes in public schools in the next education year, the Turkish prime minister declared. The move is another attempt of the ruling party AKP’s effort to solve the Kurdish conflict in Turkey.

‘ Kurdish will be taught and learned as an elective lesson in every class at every public school if there is a sufficient number demand by students. This is a historic step, ‘ AKP Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced in his weekly address to his Justice and Development Party group at the Turkish Parliament.

Kurdish Initiative : Move after move to please Kurds from Tayyip and his legions

The Turkish government’s move comprises a premier in Turkey’s history and education system as Turkey’s official language is Turkish and no any other ethnic language has been introduced to public schools.

Erdogan had a plea regarding the Kurdish introduction to solve Kurdish conflict in Turkey: ‘ I kindly request my citizens of Kurdish descent to pay attention: Please follow closely the reactions of other parties on this very historical step of the Justice and Development Party,’ Erdoğan cried, slamming the Kurdish-rooted Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) for attempting to cast a shadow on the government’s moves and hindering them at every possible turn. ‘ While me and my party are trying to develop the rights of our citizens of Kurdish descent, they are pelting the government instead of supporting it.’

AKP and Tayyip are in power since late 2002, and the ruling party of Turkey has over the years attempted to take a number of steps toward meeting Kurdish demands, including establishing a state Kurdish broadcaster and allowing Kurdish to be taught in private courses and used during election campaigns.

The Kurdish Initiative moves fall short, however, the BDP presses for the recognition of Kurdish folk as co-founders of the Turkish Republic and for the addition of Kurdish as an official language in Turkey.

AKP Government also to conduct more religious courses at Turkish schools

The introduction of Kurdish elective courses is part of a new education reform known as the so-called ‘4+4+4 system,’ which is paving the way for more students to have the option of choosing imam-hatip schools (religious vocational schools) and introducing the book of Quran and the life of the Prophet Mohammed as elective courses even in normal schools in Turkey.

Tayyip Erdoğan also stated yesterday that another elective course would be offered for students who want to learn more about divine religions, in an attempt to make people think AKP respects and tolerates other religions and their followers as well. ‘Members of different religions, for example, Christians and Jews, will be able to learn their religions or about their religions if they ask for it. ‘

Other newly concluded courses on human rights, democracy and citizenship will be compulsory in the fourth grade, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan added.