Kilis Rüşdiye Mektebi

This study examines the establishment, development, and activities of the Kilis Mekteb-i Rüşdiye within the framework of the educational system envisioned for the Ottoman countryside by the Maârif-i Umûmiye Nizamnâmesi, which was promulgated in 1869. As a significant step in the Ottoman modernization process, this regulation encouraged the establishment of rüşdiye schools in the provinces and aimed to ensure that the education system operated within a standardized framework. In this context, the study provides a detailed analysis of the establishment process, educational activities, and transformations of the rüşdiye school opened in Kilis over time. The article includes biographical information about the teaching staff, focusing on their educational backgrounds, academic qualifications, and contributions to the educational understanding of the region. Additionally, it evaluates the place of the school within the education system by examining students' academic status, curriculum content, and instructional methods. Furthermore, the study explores how the Kilis Mekteb-i Rüşdiye contributed to the socio-cultural development of the city and its impact on the region. By presenting an example of the functioning of educational institutions in the Ottoman provinces, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the educational policies of the period and the role of rüşdiye schools in social life, particularly in the case of Kilis.