JINHA

WAN - Instruction has begun at a Kurdish-language nursery in the Kurdish city of Van, despite opposition from the Turkish government.

The Perperok Nursery and Daycare Center has opened its doors for the school year despite government opposition. The nursery, a city project,is the first in the city to provide education entirely in Kurdish. Last week, the governor of Van province rejected the city's application for the nursery's license. The reason for the rejection was the Kurdish-language name of the nursery, which means "Butterfly."

Despite the opposition, 80 children started the school year yesterday at Perperok. The children, who range from 3 to 6, will be divided into two groups. Their education will include classes in Kurdish, math, drama, music, folk dancing and sports.

Perperok teacher SerdarBalcı said that demand for enrollment continues to be high, but that the nursery is full for the year.

(ht/fk/cm)