Turkey's Ministry of Education has asked the country's 81 provincial directorates of education to regulate school working hours and course hours on Fridays, so they do not clash with Friday prayers. The ministry said it sent the relevant circular letter to the provincial directorates in line with the Prime Ministry's recent regulation preparing working hours for public servants on Friday, so as not to hamper freedom of worship. The regulation, promising to adjust noon breaks at public institutions to allow for Islamic Friday prayers, is expected to come into effect in the following weeks. Accordingly, the ministry of education released a circulation letter on Thursday, saying that if working hours and curriculum clash with Friday prayers at public and private schools, the school managers should "provide convenience" for teachers and other personnel, and readjust their timetables accordingly, but "without letting any problems persist in education and training activities."