President Özdil Discusses Global Challenges in Education
October 02, 2026
Mahmut M. Özdil, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation, discussed inequalities in access to education worldwide, the struggle of children to continue their education in conflict zones, and the role of education in shaping the future of societies in an interview with GZT. Emphasizing that education cannot be limited to the transmission of academic knowledge, Özdil stressed that schools should provide children with an environment where they can discover themselves and develop their talents.
Pointing out that more than 500 million children worldwide have no school to attend, Özdil stated that how children are educated and how they are treated are just as important as access to education itself.
Describing the determination of children in Gaza to continue playing, laughing, and pursuing their education despite war and destruction as a form of resistance, Özdil drew attention to their efforts to preserve their joy for life, saying, "Children there are laughing. Children there continue to play." He also highlighted the connection between education and hope for the future with the following words:
"What does education mean? It means preparing for tomorrow. It means you have not been able to take my tomorrow away from me. It is deeply meaningful to say, 'Despite everything, I am still working toward that tomorrow.'"
Referring also to examples from the war in Syria, Özdil noted that children continued striving to pursue their education even under extremely difficult circumstances. He spoke about approximately 70 children from Pakistan's Waziristan region, most of them girls, who had received an education. He explained that their return to their homeland without losing touch with their cultural roots had helped transform local attitudes toward education. Highlighting the significance of girls' education in bringing about social change, he stated: "Attitudes toward girls attending school are also changing. This could potentially change the destiny of the entire region."
President Özdil also emphasized that educational opportunities considered ordinary in Türkiye can have a profound impact on children's lives in different parts of the world, stating: "Sometimes, things that seem very simple to us can truly become matters of vital importance."
