Education in Isparta Sanjak During the the National Struggle

Sanjak of Isparta had a deep-rooted education tradition with many madrasas built from the early period. In the 19th century, due to the modernization of education, new modern schools were opened and primary schools, which were classical basic education institutions, were reformed. At the end of this century, the number of madrasas and students attending these institutions had increased rapidly in the sanjak. Along with the newly built ones in the Second Constitutional Era, seventy-two primary schools, six secondary schools, one high school, one teachers college for girls and dozens of madrasas were providing education in the sanjak. Education in the Sanjak had reached a certain level both quantitatively and qualitatively. The great earthquake in 1914 around Isparta and the ensuing World War I brought devastating results for the education in the sanjak. Due to the earthquake, education and training activities were interrupted and the damage could not be repaired for a long time. After this, the grueling years of the long war began. The general mobilization, which was strictly implemented, left many educational institutions without students and teachers. In addition, schools that could not be financed due to financial problems began to close one by one. It is seen that the Grand National Assembly took the issue of education seriously during the National Struggle Period. First of all, the need for teachers was met by increasing the number of teacher schools and introducing military service exemption. In order to finance education expenditures, it has been tried to put sufficient allocations in the provincial special budgets. In order to revive the madrasas that were closed during World War I, a new regulation was prepared and mufti offices were asked to open madrasas in their regions. The effects of all these initiatives were also seen in Isparta Sanjak. With the support of the people in the sanjak, many schools were brought into education in 1921 and 1922 and four madrasas started education by enrolling students.

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