CULTIVATING RURAL EDUCATION: THE ROLE OF VILLAGE INSTITUTES IN TURKISH LANGUAGE TEACHER DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study examines Village Institutes in Türkiye with an emphasis on their historical significance, present state, and educational influence, specifically focusing on Turkish language education during the Republican Era of Türkiye. As it is based on written sources, scientific studies, and the thoughts of experts, the research is qualitative and relies on hypothetical depictions. Education was given top priority throughout the formation of the Turkish Republic, as the quality of education would undoubtedly affect the youth upon whom society would eventually depend. Different teacher training models were developed considering the demands and expectations of the times, and new teacher training institutes were established to prepare teachers for every level of Türkiye’s educational system, leading to the Village Institutes. Village Institutes were an enlightenment project led by Hasan Ali Yücel, the Minister of National Education, and İsmail Hakkı Tonguç, the Executive Manager of Primary Education. At the core of the project was a country-wide organization that involved the administration of public personnel. It aimed to teach rural children multidimensional knowledge and skills in the workplace and deploy them fully equipped to serve in the villages. This would eliminate the educational inequality between rural and urban people. During its active years between 1940 and 1954, noticeable developments were achieved in the economic, social, and cultural fields in villages.