Darüşşafaka Association

Darüşşafaka Association, the first non-governmental organization in Turkish history in the field of education, was founded in 1863 with the mission of providing “equity in education.” Bright and talented children who have lost one of their parents and who have limited financial resources become eligible to study at Darüşşafaka after passing a competitive exam when they are ten years old, and Darüşşafaka provides them access to quality education at international standards. In its 150 years of existence, Darüşşafaka has maintained its position to be the only school in Turkey with the specific mission of providing equity in education.

Today, at Darüşşafaka, 954 children from 68 different provinces of the country receive boarding co-education in English with a full scholarship from the 5th grade until high school graduation. Spending 24 hours and 7 days a week at Darüşşafaka, our children not only receive a high quality education but also develop their personal skills and social orientation that enable them to become leaders in different segments of the society, nationally and internationally.

The original purpose of the society founded by Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Pasha, Vidinli Tevfik Pasha, Sakızlı Ahmet Esat Pasha and Ali Nâki Efendi under the leadership of Yusuf Ziya Pasha, a prominent mathematician, soldier and statesman of the time, was to finance the training of the Grand Bazaar's young craftsmen. The society renovated the old Valide School in Beyazit, and thereafter many intellectuals including the national poet Namık Kemal joined the school as volunteer teachers.

In 1868 the Society commenced construction of the Ottoman Empire's first building built specifically for the purpose of education; up until this time, the common practice was to use old barracks or mansions as school buildings. The school, located in Istanbul's Fatih district, was designed by the Italian architect Barironi and planned by Dolmabahçe Palace's chief architect Ohannes Balyan. The school, which was suitable for both girls and boys to study under the same roof and which offered facilities and opportunities way ahead of its time, opened its doors as a free boarding school pursuant to a private statute in June 1873 under the name "Darüşşafakat'ül İslamiye." Ever since, the Society has continued its efforts to provide financing for the education of students studying at Darüşşafaka.

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Wikipedia