Martha Woodall of the Philadelphia
Inquirer writes about the
allegations raised over North Philadelphia charter school run by the followers
of a Turkish imam:
"Truebright Science Academy Charter
School in North Philadelphia is one of more than 130 charter schools nationwide
run by followers of the Turkish imam M. Fetullah Gulen, and federal officials
have put it under a microscope. [...]
The Inquirer reported last spring that
federal agencies are investigating whether some Turkish charter-school
employees are required to kick back part of their salaries to a Muslim movement
founded by Gulen known as Hizmet, or Service, according to knowledgeable
sources.
They also are trying to determine whether
the schools are abusing the H1-B visa program, which has allowed hundreds of
Turkish teachers, administrators, and other staffers to work in charter
schools.
The visas are used to attract foreign
workers, especially with math, science, and technology skills for which there
are shortages of qualified Americans. [...]
After The Inquirer reported last year that
records showed uncertified, foreign-born teachers were paid more than their
certified American counterparts, at least nine filed discrimination complaints
with the EEOC.
One American teacher said she never imagined
she would be lodging a complaint in her own country alleging discrimination
based on national origin. [...]"
In related news, "[t]he U.S. state of
Tennessee has passed a new law limiting the number of foreign teachers at
charter schools in an apparent reaction to educational institutions linked to
Gulen Community led by Turkish religious leader Fethullah Gulen,"
according to a
report on Hurriyet Daily on April 18.The report states that "[t]he law
decreases the percentage of foreign teachers that can be employed in a charter
school from 10 percent to 3.5 percent."
To read the thorough piece in the Inquirer,
visit here.
To read the report on new law in the state of Tennessee visit here.
