158 Turkish exchange students expelled from schools abroad over FETÖ links

ANKARA

More than 150 Turkish exchange students in foreign countries have been expelled from their schools following new state of emergency decree laws published in the Official Gazette late on Sept. 1. 

A total of 158 students were expelled over their links to the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which is believed to have masterminded the failed July 15 coup attempt.

The aforementioned students will not be granted Turkish equivalence for their academic titles and grades.

In addition, graduation certificates that are received from schools abroad that are linked to the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen will be deemed invalid. 

Meanwhile, according to the new decrees, teachers who have worked in private courses for six years will be able to work in schools under contract without being asked for a Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS) score. The KPSS is an exam for people wishing to enter public service.

They will be employed in the regions that are of priority in terms of development if they are successful on the verbal exams, according to the Official Gazette.

Another regulation that was introduced with the decrees concerned the passports of the spouses of wanted FETÖ suspects. 

The passports of spouses of those whose passports were cancelled due to FETÖ links will also be invalidated if they are deemed problematic by the Interior Ministry.