Turkey: Govt softens stance on religious schools

Government Spokesman Cicek, speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, said that the bill had been sent to Parliament, but noted that that did not mean that it would be dealt with immediately.

He said he hoped the relevant commission would debate the issue with the bodies interested with the bill, before it is discussed in General Assembly.

Cicek said that the issue had not been discussed in yesterday’s meeting, but added that the government was not trying to hide anything.

Chief of General Staff had warned that they had fears that the bill was unconstitutional, noting that there were more important issues in the education system that had a priority.