The “Movement of Struggle for Secular Democratic Education” in North Cyprus together with the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union (KTÖS) and the Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS) held a protest in front of the Ministry of National Education against changes made in some textbooks.
Some political parties and non-governmental organizations also supported the action, which was organized to say ‘stop’ to the attacks on secular education.
Some political parties and non-governmental organizations also supported the action, which was organized to say ‘stop’ to the attacks on secular education.Speaking on behalf of the movement, Melek Arabacıoğlu condemned the change made in books and the full day education issue stating that religion has no place in schools and criticized the ministry stating that such initiatives cause public disturbance.
Arabacıoğlu said that such books, published with a sole religious belief are completely unacceptable and called on officials to listen to experts’ advice. She said that students were not sent to schools for a religious based education and called for freedom of religious belief to be accepted. Stating that schools were not places to preach education, Arabacıoğlu criticized the education ministry adding that these kinds of initiatives disturbed public peace.
KTÖS Secretary General Burak Maviş who also spoke on the issue said that the Turkish Cypriot people will never return to the old days and will maintain secular order. Maviş criticized the change made in books and accused the ministry and the minister of interfering in the lives and education of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Head of KTOEÖS Selma Eylem also criticized and accused the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu. Stating that the struggle by the education unions will continue in all areas, Eylem stated that they are well acquainted with the attempts to change the books.
Also speaking, Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu stated that no one could question his secularism. Çavuşoğlu said that he listened to the criticisms put forward but added that the teachers’ approach was not correct.
Stating that he was ready to listen and discuss all kinds of opinions, Çavuşoğlu met with the parents who criticize the books.
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