Champions of International Maarif Turkish Debate Project Announced
August 11, 2026
The final event of the International Maarif Turkish Debate Project for the 2025–2026 academic year was held in Istanbul. Organized by Turkish Maarif Foundation, the project aims to improve students’ ability to use Turkish effectively, think critically and express themselves accurately.
Approximately 250 students studying at Turkish Maarif Foundation schools and education centres participated in the project, which was held for the third time this year and has become a tradition. Following eight weeks of debate workshops, 48 teams from 24 countries applied to participate in the tournament. At the end of the online preliminary and elimination rounds, followed by the quarter-final and semi-final matches, four teams from four countries qualified for the final event in Istanbul.
16 Students from Four Countries Meet in Istanbul
In the category for students who use Turkish as their mother tongue, Sarajevo Team from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hâr-ı Bülbül Team from Azerbaijan advanced to the final. In the category for students learning Turkish as a foreign language, Belâgat-ı Herat Team from Afghanistan and Quetta Girls’ High School Team from Pakistan qualified for the final.
As part of the final event, which brought together 16 students from four countries and their supervising teachers, interview recordings were conducted on 20 July 2026. The final matches were recorded at TRT Studios on 21 July.
Following the highly exciting matches, Hâr-ı Bülbül Team from Azerbaijan became the champion in the category for students who use Turkish as their mother tongue. Quetta Girls’ High School Team from Pakistan won first place in the category for students learning Turkish as a foreign language.
The award ceremony was held on 22 July 2026 at the headquarters of Turkish Maarif Foundation in Üsküdar. The event was attended by Turkish Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Özdil, Vice President Prof. Dr Ahmet Emre Bilgili, project coordinators, teachers and finalist students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Özdil stated that all the students who had reached the final after a long preparation process had achieved significant success. Emphasising that debate offers students a wide range of benefits beyond learning Turkish, Özdil said that the students had developed their ability to assess different ideas, approach issues from various perspectives, structure their thoughts and express them accurately.
Özdil said:
“Regardless of the language, it is important that you have learned to think, question your own thoughts and develop different perspectives by asking, ‘We can look at this issue from this side, but what would we encounter if we looked at it from the other side?’ I believe that this competition has contributed not only to your Turkish language skills but also to your ability to organise and accurately express your thoughts.”
Özdil encouraged the students not to see themselves as foreigners in Istanbul, but as representatives of a shared civilizational heritage. He also highlighted the importance of students from different countries coming together within the same linguistic and cultural environment.
Turkish Maarif Foundation Vice President and Chair of the Debate Jury Prof. Dr Ahmet Emre Bilgili also congratulated the finalist students and noted that the matches had been highly competitive. Stating that the competition was the outcome of a long and intensive preparation process, Bilgili said that the students had reached the final by conducting research and reflecting deeply on the debate topics.
Pointing out that the difference in scores between the first- and second-place teams was very small in both categories, Bilgili said:
“Reaching the final is a major achievement in itself. In both categories, the difference between first and second place was extremely small. This result demonstrates how closely matched the teams were. Therefore, all the finalists successfully completed the competition.”
Bilgili advised the students to make the most of their programme in Istanbul, emphasising that city tours provide an important learning opportunity. He encouraged the students to examine carefully the monuments and historical works they encountered during their visits to the Bosphorus, Sultanahmet and the Historic Peninsula, listen attentively to the information provided and take notes. He also recommended that they keep a digital or written travel journal about their visit to Istanbul.
Language Skills Integrated with Critical Thinking
International Maarif Turkish Debate Project aims not only to enable students to use Turkish effectively and accurately, but also to strengthen their skills in conducting research, developing theses and antitheses, substantiating their ideas and speaking before an audience.
Combining prepared and impromptu speaking activities, the project helps students build self-confidence, work collaboratively and approach differing opinions with respect. It also provides a multidimensional learning environment that integrates students’ linguistic competence with critical thinking, moral awareness and persuasive communication skills.
