An Ottoman Attempt for the Control of Christian Education: Plan of Fünûn Mektebi (School of Sciences) in the Early Tanzimat Period

Abstract

This  paper  examines  the  attempt  at  educational  politics  by  the  Otto- man  Empire  during  the Tanzimat  period  through  a  plan  that  aimed  to  establish the Fünûn Mektebi (School of Sciences) which aimed at educating only Christian students. Although this plan was never carried out, I would like to clarify the Otto- man politics toward Christians through such a plan. The Fünûn Mektebi sought to keep Christian students from studying “a set of unsuitable things against the Otto- man government” and for the Ottoman government to prevent such study indirectly. It should be pointed out that “unsuitable things” referred to radical nationalism or liberation, in consideration of domestic and international conditions. I would like to discuss the relation between the Fünûn Mektebi and Dârü’l-fünûn, because both were planned by the Temporary Council of Education. I conclude that Dârü’l-fünûn was planned with the Fünûn Mektebi in mind, because the educational contents, standards, objectives, and names of both had much in common.