Ottoman education system

The Ottoman education system was hierarchical and centered around Islamic principles. It began with primary schools (mekteb), teaching reading, writing, and religion. Students could advance to secondary schools (rüşdiye) offering mathematics, sciences, and language studies. Higher education was provided by madrasas, where scholars studied theology, law, philosophy, and sciences, often under state supervision. Education was primarily reserved for Muslim males, with endowments (vakıf) funding many institutions. The system emphasized religious and moral instruction, while also fostering administrative and legal skills necessary for governance. Over time, reforms aimed to modernize and expand access to education, especially in the 19th century.