“Ministry of Education and the government insufficient in school security”

Secretary General of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union (KTÖS) Burak Maviş, noted that the Ministry of National Education and the government should take necessary measures to ensure the safety of students and teachers at schools, saying that “Security in education cannot be a debatable issue”.

In a written statement, Maviş stated that quality in education and security at schools are the rights of every student and teacher, and claimed that the condition of educational buildings in the country is a clear indicator that these fundamental rights are being violated.

Stating that there are a total of 124 schools with estimated costs been completed, among repair, renovation, and reinforcement projects of existing public schools commissioned by the Earthquake Control Committee, Maviş noted that out of 58 schools accepted by the committee, 12 do not require building strengthening, tenders for 46 of the remaining 112 schools have been completed, and work is still being carried out at 66 schools.

Reminding the statement from February 8 that said it was too late to share the results and projects related to schools, Burak Maviş said a school ceiling collapsed in the Karşıyaka Merkez Primary School outside of school hours today, and stressed that someone could have gotten hurt.

Noting that the ceiling of Karşıyaka Merkez Primary School collapsed, Maviş said, it is unacceptable that this school has recently been observed and accepted by the committee as a ‘school that does not require strengthening’.

Calling on the Ministry of National Education and the government to take urgent and effective measures to ensure the security of school buildings, KTÖS Secretary General Maviş reiterated his demands.

Read This: Family gathering turns tragic in Paphos

Maviş stated that they will continue their struggle until necessary steps are taken.