Student Oath (Turkey)

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The Student Oath (Turkish: Öğrenci Andı) was a daily pledge recited by students at the start of the school day in Turkey, mainly in primary schools, until 2013.

What it was
- After the national anthem, a student or small group led the oath and all students repeated it.
- The oath expressed Turkish identity and values, including honesty, hard work, respect for elders, protection of younger students, love for the country, and a commitment to progress.

Origin and text
- The text was written by Reşit Galip, then Minister of National Education, on April 23, 1933 (Children’s Day).
- It was officially introduced as the “Student Oath” in May 1933 and published in a circular later that month.
- The oath includes lines like “I am Turkish, I am honest, I am hardworking,” and a pledge to love the homeland and work for its progress. It also has a line honoring Atatürk.
- In 1933, a version that added the famous phrase “Ne mutlu Türküm diyene” (How happy is the one who says “I am a Turk”) was incorporated after Atatürk’s speech.

Changes over time
- In 1972, the oath was amended to include the Atatürk dedication in connection with a national anniversary.
- There were Turkish versions and translations of the oath, with the core message about national loyalty and personal duty.

Abolition and legal moves
- On September 8, 2013, the oath was officially abolished as part of a government reform package.
- The move was controversial: supporters said it promoted inclusion and secularism, while opponents said it targeted national identity.
- In October 2018, the Council of State ruled that the oath had been a long-standing practice and that the justification for removing it in 2013 was not clear, following a case by the Education and Science Workers’ Union.
- On March 4, 2021, the Council of State again decided to abolish recitation of the oath, restarting the debate. Political leaders reacted strongly, with some supporting the decision and others criticizing it.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly described the National Anthem as Turkey’s national oath, signaling support for the idea of a national pledge in different form.

In short, the Student Oath was a long-standing daily pledge tied to Turkish national identity and Atatürk’s legacy, abolished in 2013, then the status of its recitation became a recurring legal and political issue with further rulings in 2018 and 2021.