Istanbul Prepares to Launch 100 Quran Memorization Courses for Young Children

Istanbul Prepares to Launch 100 Quran Memorization Courses for Young Children
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The governor of Istanbul, Davut Gül, has announced plans to launch 100 Quran memorization courses for children aged between four and six, as part of a broader government program to expand early childhood services and address shortages in nurseries and kindergartens across the city.

Gül said the courses will be organized in cooperation with Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). He explained that the educational content of the program would align with the pedagogical frameworks used in kindergartens overseen by the Ministry of National Education, particularly in terms of child development and basic skills training.

In addition to the Quran courses, the governor announced plans to establish 100 new daycare centers, which will be handed over for management to the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Another 100 kindergartens are also set to be built, bringing the total number of new early childhood education and care facilities planned in Istanbul to 300.

The announcement comes as authorities continue to investigate allegations involving a daycare center linked to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Complaints were filed by families in the Eyüpsultan area, prompting a review of whether the institution complies with existing regulations governing childcare facilities.

Gül said relevant agencies are examining the matter and stressed that all nurseries and childcare centers must operate in accordance with legal and safety standards.

He emphasized that the new program aims to strengthen Istanbul’s educational and social infrastructure for young children by providing safe, comprehensive alternatives that combine early care with structured educational development.