TEACHING THE NEW TURKISH ALPHABET THROUGH NON-FORMAL TRAINING

Following a comprehensive preparation period, the law on adoption of the new alphabet took effect when it was published in official gazette after it was accepted in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and approved by President Mustafa Kemal Paşa. Immediately after the adoption of the law, some precautions were taken for it to be implemented. It was decided to teach the new Turkish alphabet first to formal education teachers and all students regardless of grade. Also, textbooks published by using the new alphabet were also distributed to schools free of charge. National Schools were opened for individuals who were out of the scope of forma education due to age so that they could learn the new alphabet. These schools in stationary and mobile forms opened in villages and cities for both genders taught reading and writing and provided basic civic education. In addition to national schools, work was carried out in various organizations such as Turkish Hearths, Teachers’ Associations, Military Units and Community Centers to teach the new Turkish alphabet to public. This study addresses the non-formal training activities undertaken in Turkey during this process and investigates the reflections of these activities pioneered by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to present and teach the new alphabet on education, culture and daily life. The study also presents the significance of non-formal educational institutions formed to familiarize with and teach the new Turkish alphabet to public. Research data consists of achieved resources for this period, periodicals, memoirs and studies.