A new school curriculum is going into effect in Turkey for 2017-18, and it will no longer include the subject of evolution in grade nine. The curriculum for state-run schools in Turkey is set by the government. Government representatives say that Charles Darwin’s theory is above the students’ level of understanding and should not be taught until university level. Critics fear this is part of President Erdogan’s attempt to raise a “pious generation.” Other curriculum changes include spending less time on Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (the founder of modern Turkey) and more time on traditional Turkish culture and religious studies. All new schools will be required to have a gender-separated prayer room. Religious schools will also begin teaching the word “jihad” as a positive term related to patriotism and spirituality.