Waldorf Education in Turkey
Turkey: In 2009, the seminar for “Waldorf education during the first seven years of childhood” started its work. According to the extra-educational teacher training being practiced in Germany, the curriculum is structured in such a way that students with professional experience are able to graduate after two years and two additional weeks of internship.
At the end of grade 8, the students in Turkey have to pass important exams. Those who are ranked among the best 1.000 are being allowed to enter the best secondary schools. The renowned natural scientific Lisesi-School in Istanbul belongs to this circle and operates a German section. The students of this course study German during a year and as at the end they participate in a language course in Germany, before returning to grade nine.
In 2003, the school started to get in contact with Hamburg Waldorf School due to the discontentment with the high costs and the missing connection with Germans. The exchange, which developed between the two schools, can be seen as a first step to the Seminar for Waldorf Education. As a result of this partnership the chief executive of the Lisesi Foundation developed an interest in Waldorf Education.
In May 2006, Ms. Tarhan Onur organized a symposium for Waldorf education irrespective of the school exchange. At the same time further interest of people in Waldorf Education developed in Izmir and Antalya. The combination of the various impulses, eventually lead to the foundation of an initiative circle of 15 people. The Waldorf symposium, which took place in 2009, was used to publicly spread the idea of a Waldorf seminar.
Thanks to the manifold international cooperation and the local initiators, it was possible to start the first seminar already in 2009. The scheduling oriented itself in fact at the German training structure, but left free space for influences from the Turkish culture, which was necessary in order to provide a concept for the future educators concerning the celebration of festivals, games and the daily routine for Turkish children.
The courses are being held by professors from all over Germany and simultaneously translated. At the same time, a Turkish-speaking colleague from Berlin gives lectures to parents in various cities, in order to gain a circle of people for future Waldorf initiatives in Turkey. In conclusion one can state that a basis is developing, on which a Waldorf kindergarten may develop soon.
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Seminar für Waldorfpædagogik Istanbul
Eğitim Sanatı Dostları Derneği
Yeniçarşı Cad. No. 32/5
34433 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Turkey
bilgi@egitimsanatidostlari.org
AP: Tarhan Onur