In the strategic plan prepared by the Directorate of Religious Affairs for the years 2017-2021, it is determined that the numbers of imam-Hatip religious schools graduates are uncontrolled. In the report, it is also emphasised that "as the interest in religion increases, the moral values are eroded."
External changes and tendencies that can affect the Directorate of Religious Affairs called Diyanet were assessed in the report. Surveys and interviews were also conducted with staff and citizens.
Political, economic, social and technological factors and threats were analysed during this study and reached notable results.
"THE MORE THE INTEREST IN RELIGION INCREASES, THE MORE THE MORAL VALUES ARE ERODED"
In the report, it is determined that "the interest and affiliation to religion are increasing, but the erosion in the moral values is also becoming widespread. The sense of institutional belongingness in the staff is weak. The language of the spiritual and ethical guide (irşat) is also weak. The perception of nepotism cannot be eliminated in the minds of the staff. The employment cannot be generated pursuant to the educational status of the staff. Thus, it cannot be prevented that the qualified staff changes its job for other institutions.’’
"IMAM-HATIP GRADUATES HAVE QUALIFICATION PROBLEMS"
The report also reveals that "the number of theology and imam-hatip graduates are uncontrolled. The graduates have qualification problems. Islamophobia and the perception of negative Islam are being widespread. There is a political influence on the institution. Associations and foundations unrestrainedly build mosques and Quran courses. Superstitious beliefs become popular. New information and data regarding humankind and the universe come to light. Religion is associated with terrorist and violent structures. The number of national and international political structures based on religion is increasing."
The government of the ruling Turkish Justice and Development party (AKP) reshaped the education system along Sunni Islamic lines. In 2012, the government introduced a contentious 12-year compulsory education system with four-year phases of primary, middle and high school, known in Turkey as the “4+4+4”, paving the way for religious middle schools. AKP has been converting a large number of schools into imam-hatip religious schools. After the AKP came to power in 2002, the number of students attending imam - hatip schools increased by 90% to almost 1 million children aged between 10 and 18, or 9% of all students. Under a scheme introduced by the government in 2014, about 40,000 pupils were forcibly enrolled in imam -hatip schools. In some districts, religious vocational schools were suddenly the only alternative for parents who could not afford to educate their children privately.
