TL 351 million ($75 million) was allocated to the Maarif Foundation (TMF), according to the Official Gazette yesterday. The amount will be transferred from the budget of the National Education Ministry.
Turkey established TMF in 2016 after a coup attempt to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), which is blamed for the attempt that killed 250 people. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad.
TMF has assumed control of numerous schools previously run by FETÖ, from Africa to Asia.
Turkey has asked several countries to shut down dozens of schools, colleges and businesses linked to the FETÖ network in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt.
Ankara says FETÖ is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish state by infiltrating Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
The terrorist group is also known to operate hundreds of schools under the auspices of its network around the world. For decades, it disguised itself as a charity movement with religious undertones, opening schools, charities and companies in numerous countries where the children of the elite are enrolled, thus extending its international clout, said prosecutors investigating the international network. FETÖ members enjoyed safe haven in most countries they operated in before the 2016 coup attempt, but Turkey's diplomatic efforts after the putsch bid have paid off with most countries agreeing to cooperate with Ankara for the crackdown on the terrorists.