At a young age, Kenan Rifai was appointed as the Director of Education in Adana, where he accelerated his reformist work in education. During his tenure in Adana, he traveled to towns and villages such as Mut, Silifke, Anamur and Gülnar to raise public awareness and create opportunities to build schools. His hardworking and idealistic attitude inspired the people around him.

“When I arrived in Adana, ten teachers appeared before me in tattered clothes and told me that they had not been paid for ten months. I immediately convened the Education Council, explained the situation and asked for a solution. We dismissed a person who was receiving 2000 kuruş per month unnecessarily in my office. Those who resented this situation filed a libel petition.”

Kenan Rifai’s years in Adana at Maarift are an important period that shows his determination in education, his determination to overcome difficulties and his honesty. These lessons, both in his personal and professional life, laid the foundation for his success in his later years.

During his tenure in Adana, he experienced another difficult moment. One night, lost in the ruins of Anamur, he could not find his way in the harsh nature and let his horse loose. The horse brings him safely back to the city under cover of night.