Republic of Georgia closes down another Gulen operated private school #GulenSchool

 

Georgia cracks down on another Gulen-linked private school

https://dfwatch.net/georgia-cracks-down-on-another-gulen-linked-private-school-54202

(Faqcebook.)

Georgia cracks on educational institutions linked to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen again. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education declined appeal by a private schooled linked to Turkish President Erdogan’s top foe.

The school named after Shota Rustaveli is located in Rustavi, about 20 km east from Tbilisi and is regarded by locals as one of the best in the city and its vicinity. The ministry revoked its license in May on technical reasons. However, as many believe in Georgia, the real reason behind this decision was political and is related to the long-time feud between former close allies, President Erdogan and Fethullah Gulen.

The school was a part of the Caglar Education Institutions, which includes several private schools throughout the country and Black Sea International University in Tbilisi.

“It wouldn‘t be the first time that an international school in Georgia with good reputation among students&parents loses its license but Georgian Ministry of Education doesn‘t give any concrete reasons,” wrote German MEP Rebecca Harms in her tweet Sunday.

“My concern is that the Georgian government has been influenced by Turkish government which may undermine Georgia’s democratic developments,” claims Tuba Cabuk whose spouse, a manager at Demirel College, another Gulen-linked educational institution, was arrested and spent months in prison awaiting deportation to Turkey but later released amid mounting pressure on Georgian government.

In 2018 Black Sea International University was prohibited from enrolling students for one year, which affected hundreds of students who had chosen to study at IBSU.

In 2017 the government revoked license of Sahin Friendship School, which had been regarded as one of the best private schools in Adjara.

Following the coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016, Ankara asked all states to close down schools associated with Gulen, who is accused of masterminding the coup.

Gulen-associated schools were taken over in Azerbaijan; a country with strong ties with Turkey. Also Tajikistan shut down its own Gulen schools last year. The same fate has been shared by similar institutions in several African countries.

Harun Celik deported back to Turkey by Albanian authorities

Albanian authorities on Wednesday deported Harun Çelik, a Turkish teacher at a school affiliated with the faith-based Gülen movement in Albania, to Turkey despite a court order releasing him from his five-month incarceration over an extradition request from Ankara. Çelik, 41, was reportedly arrested five months ago at Turkey’s request, but the court denied the extradition. According to Bold Medya, Çelik was released from prison on Wednesday evening, when the Albanian police picked him up for transport to Tirana’s Rinas International Airport. He had applied for asylum in the country five months ago, but officials have not yet proceeded with the request, the report said. Turkey had previously been able to bring Gülen-affiliated individuals back home without official extradition processes in Kosovo and Moldova. Turkish officials claim more than 100 Gülen followers have been brought back to the country since a failed 2016 coup. Ankara accuses the Gülen movement of orchestrating the coup, although it strongly denies https://www.turkishminute.com/2020/01/01/albania-to-deport-gulen-follower-at-turkeys-request-despite-court-rejection-of-extradition-report/?unapproved=33215&moderation-hash=66fa86b2a37f5bf9b486298ee0579a0e#comment-33215

Zambia Government transfers Gulen Horizon Schools to their ownership #GulenSchools

https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/horizon-schools-nationalised/b3e0d39f-f501-4a68-8121-7fa959bd6434/

HORIZON SCHOOL - RUMOURS AND TRUTHS

By Dickson Jere,

FOR the past three-days, stories have been trending on Horizon School of Lusaka. Rumors and half-baked truths continue to dominate discussions and yet the government - the custodian of the truth on this issue - remains quiet. Why? I have no idea!

Here is the truth about the Horizon School takeover.
The President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Edgar Lungu has compulsorily acquired Horizon School in “public interest” using powers vested in him by the Lands Acquisition Act. In order to exercise this power, the President only has to demonstrate that it is in “public interest” to do so - and the owners will eventually be compensated by government as per law. They also have a right to challenge the President in the High Court for Zambia if they think the power has been exercised wrongly.

The next question is what prompted the President to takeover Horizon School. The rumors and innuendos that the land has been acquired in order to facilitate for a shopping mall is not true - at least from what I know. The acquisition has been made following a protracted international battle between the Turkish government and the allies of former Turkish President who is connected to the Fethullah Gulen Organisation. In short, the Turkish government is alleging that the owners of Horizon Schools all over the world are actively involved in terrorism - the accusation which is denied offcourse.

Let’s move to next step.
The Turkish government, through its Maarif Foundation, has opted to takeover all these Horizon Schools all over the world and kick out the alleged “terrorists”. Some governments have signed Bilateral Agreements with the Turkish government to takeover the schools and hand them to the Turkish Maarif Foundation. The government of Chad recently acquired the same schools and handed them over to Turkish government to run them. This is happening in so many countries.

What will happen to Horizon School in Zambia?
What I know is that the Maarif Foundation has asked to be allowed to continue running the school. Whether government will accept this offer or not, it is for the Ministers to explain. But what is true is that the school is not closing and the staff will be maintained either through the Ministry of Education or indeed the Turkish government. Surely government can explain this obvious position!

Will they build the shopping mall?

The answer is NO! There is no shopping mall coming to replace the school. And the school is also not going to close down. That is is what I know talking to government and Turkish officials. So why is government not explaining this simple roadmap to stakeholders? School Board chairman Leslie Mbula is right to speculate in the absence of information!

Lastly, the President is being accused of having personal interest in the matter. On this one, I can defend him. I do not think he has any personal interest given the fact that this an ongoing international battle. This is more of a foreign policy issue of the country. It is an international battle that has sadly entered our jurisdiction and those in power have the responsibility to deal with it - rightly or wrongly!

I hope there will be a detailed statement from government to explain what this debacle is all about. The longer it takes for government to respond, the more the people will believe the rumours. In a digital world, quick response is the best!