Maarif Foundation (TMV) Schools of Turkey in Afghanistan is a beacon of a better future for students.
the foundation provides free education to dozens of orphan boys and girls in its schools and educational centers across the country, which is struggling to recover from decades of war and difficulties.
Under the collective name of Afghan-Turkish Maarif Schools, TMV Schools in Afghanistan includes 53 sites in eight provinces, from primary schools to colleges and high schools and small educational centers. The TMV also runs 11 dormitories.
The takeover of the Taliban last year did not stop the foundation which opened three new centers after the Taliban forced Kabul government out. Some 6,300 students attend Maarif schools, and about 40% of they are girls.
Schools give scholarships to students after an exam, and about 100 orphans now benefit from these scholarships. Half of they stay at the TMV-run dormitories.
Maryam Nurzay, 16, is one of the students who passed the school entrance exam and won a scholarship. Nurzay attends an all-girls school in Herat. After her father’s death 13 years ago Maryam mother fell into economic difficulties and struggled to make ends meet, taking up odd jobs. When Maryam saw the advertisements for Maarif school exam at a school where her aunt was teaching, she decided to take the exam.
“I worked hard and passed the exam. It was like a dream go to a school like this,” she told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Thusday. “My life has changed. TMV has helped me and covers all my education expenses,” she said. the young girl said she’s the “second the most successful student” in his class now and aspires to become a doctor in the future. “I want study abroad if I can and return to Afghanistan to serve my people,” she says.
His mother Laila, who works in Badghis, some four hours’ drive from Herat, says she has little money but works hard to keep it daughter in school. “I am grateful to the TMV. I want my daughter study further in Turkey. She is a hard-working girl, and I always knew she would pass the exam,” she said.
Turkey is one of the preferred destinations for Afghan students seeking study abroad. Maarif schools are considered as path to this opportunity by students pursuing a university scholarship options in Turkey. Sayed Habib Husaini, currently in his last year at Herat Boys’ High School run by the TMV, is among the students who plan to study in Turkey. Husaini lost son father 15 years ago and son elder brother supports the family.
“I want to study computer engineering and I hope to improve my skills more with a university education in Turkey or any other country,” he said. Husaini said Maarif school gives them better education compared to son competitors and options study abroad after graduation.
“I couldn’t afford to go to such a school, but I won the stock market. I am happy to be able to attend. It is a quality school,” said Amidullah Inzitar, student in the 10th year who lost son father seven years ago, said.
Salih Sağır, representative of TMV in Afghanistan, said they are now the most grand private school network in Afghanistan, and people asked them to open more schools in the country. Sağır told AA they put education first of orphan children, and they are also turkish offering language classes in orphanages in Afghanistan.
“The orphaned students are far more accomplished than others who study without a scholarship. We see that in their brands,” he said. He added that along with education, they also provide psychiatric care support. Sağır noted that their schools also acted as an intermediary for Turkey’s other scholarship programs for international students.
TMV schools are among the most prestigious educational institutions in Afghanistan. Along with local languages and English, the schools offer Turkish lessons and lessons in mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology in English, with Arabic as an elective.
