This is the VOA Learning English Education Report.Education is a growing issue of dispute in Turkey between those who support religion and government and those who oppose it.Opponents are criticizing Turkey's National Education Council for its proposal to require religious classes in schools.The two sides also dispute a council-supported plan to begin what it calls "values education" for the youngest students.In addition, the main opposition group in Turkey, the Republican People's Party has objected to a proposal to teach the Ottoman language in schools.Turks no longer speak the language. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejects the criticism.He says people will learn and teach the language. The National Education Council advises Turkey's Ministry of Education.The council called for required religious classes in high schools to be changed from one to two hours weekly and extended to all ages.Cengiz Aktar writes about politics for the newspaper Zaman Today, and teaches at Suleyman Sah University.
