This is a study of the evolution of Greek education in the late Ottoman Empire and its subsequent fate under the Turkish Republic after 1923 with specific reference to the Greek community of Istanbul. In her work, Irini Sarioglou examines the rise of the Turkish nationalism in connection with the policy of the Turkish state regarding minorities and minority schools.

Dr Sarioglou analyzes a variety of issues including the political transformation of Turkey (under Atatürk), the impact of Kemalist dogma on Greek education and its psychological and practical consequences for the Greek community.