Turkish state-run education foundation ‘Maarif Foundation’ has taken over schools in Chad institutions, in line with a protocol signed between the Turkish and Chadian governments. The schools once belonged to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). Among these institutions are a kindergarten, a primary school, two secondary schools, two high schools, and a dormitory.
In a speech, Turkey’s Ambassador to Chad Erdal Sabri Ergen said, “These schools will greatly contribute to Chad’s education system.” Further he also thanked the heads of Maarif.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Chad’s Education Minister Ahmad Khazali Acyl said, “The school transfer was an important step in relations between the two counties.”
According to the Turkish President Erdoğan, “Turkey was determined to clear Africa of FETÖ, the group behind last year’s defeated coup in Turkey. FETÖ fooled people through “sham” education and aid services. Many African countries, immediately after the coup attempt, deported FETÖ members and transferred the schools run by the group to our Maarif Foundation.”
The Maarif Foundation has recently assumed control of numerous schools previously run by FETÖ around the world, including 32 in Africa, according to Turkey’s National Education Ministry. FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.