Turkish businessmen and Zambian state officials yesterday officially laid the foundation of the Bedir Turkish-Zambian High School. The 750-student school will sprawl over 24 acres and two storeys. The school is expected to contribute to nascent Turkish-Zambian economic and political relations.Noting that the school will provide new opportunities for the country, Zambian Deputy Minister of Education Clement Sinyinda said, “The lack of dialogue between Zambia and Turkey was a big loss for us.” Turkey and Zambia do not currently have diplomatic missions in each other’s countries.
Stressing that the school will be a bridge between the two countries, Sinyinda said students studying at the school will receive a good education and moral bearing. “Each of the students will be cultural ambassadors,” the official said. He also asked Turkish businessmen for more schools and educational institutions. Hasan Tarık, head of Horizon Education, which finances and administers most Turkish schools internationally, said the school will be a symbol of mutual friendship between the two countries.
The impetus for the opening of a Turkish school in Zambia came from Zambian High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula, who was impressed by the success of Turkish educational institutions in that country. Following a small study of students at Turkish schools, the high commissioner was convinced of the excellence of students from Turkish school in education, discipline and work and reported this back home. Zambian state officials then asked Horizon Education to invest in Zambia. Intent on opening a Turkish school in Zambia, the state has promised to supply the necessary land and the building. Zambia’s Education Permanent Secretary Lillian Kapulu came to Turkey a year ago and on her visit asked the Ministry of Education and Turkish businessmen for assistance opening Turkish schools in Zambia.
