Education

As a small town, in Rumkale the educational activities are seen to improve after the conquest. It is understood that classical Ottoman education institutions such as "Sıbyan mektepleri" for young students, Moslem theological schools for the young, and "zaviye" for adults became more important. The history of these intuitions dates back to "memluks".

"Sıbyan Mektebi" is a place where children aged between 5 and 6 are educated. This was a place in which the children are taught alphabet, arithmetic and also basic religious knowledge by   a teacher who was charged by the people in the neighborhood collectively or by wealthy people who undertook the expenses.

With the effect of Memluk culture there were institutions called "buk'a" which gives a preparative education for "Madrasah". According to the researchers "Madrasah" with low level was called "buk'a". To these places professors were assigned with the wish of Kadi. It was possibly an educational institution which gives education between "Sıbyan Mektebi" and merest". The teachers of "buk'a" were daily paid lower than 10 coins. There were two "buk'a"s in Rumkale. Both of them date back to Memluk period.

To merest only the male students graduated from "sıbyan mektebi" or as well educated ones as them were accepted. The number of the students depends on the foundation's conditions, size of the building, and the periods and it was not more than 20 or 30. The students were given money from the income of the foundation and they were given food for free. It is seen that there were six students in "Zemahiye Medresesi"-which dates back to Memluk period-and each student were given 1 coin everyday.

Who made the "merest" in the city centre of Rumkale and when it was made is not known. It is understood from the records of the foundation that it   started in the years 1364-1365.