France vs Turkey
Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.
France
In France, school lunches are four-course meals with a cheese course, and children eat what's served.
French school canteens serve a starter, main course, cheese, and dessert. There are no vending machines, no packed lunches, and no substitutions — food education is part of the curriculum.
Turkey
Turkish children kiss elders' hands and touch them to their foreheads as greeting.
This ritual of el öpmek reflects deep intergenerational respect embedded in daily Turkish family life.
France
Free, secular public education is a constitutional principle. Children enter école maternelle at age 3 (compulsory since 2019). The curriculum is highly centralized and standardized nationally. Wednesday afternoons are traditionally free.
Turkey
Turkey's education system is centrally managed by the Ministry of National Education. Compulsory education spans 12 years in a 4+4+4 structure. Religious education (imam hatip schools) has expanded significantly since 2012.
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