Selma Eylem: "The Quality of Education is Not Their Concern"

The Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEÖS) held a press conference titled “The Problems in Education Are Not Just About Infrastructure” at the school, where they raised concerns about a student allegedly being admitted “irregularly” despite the talent exam required for admission.

Eylem emphasized that while the school does not have construction or container issues, there are still instances of “irregularity” every year. She pointed out that the school has been admitting students through a talent exam for years and criticized the Ministry of Education for persistently refusing to draft the school’s regulations.

Claiming that there is always a shortfall in quotas, Eylem noted that students who fail the exam are re-admitted, highlighting that this year, for the first time, 11th-grade admissions were made. She explained that the admission exam is conducted by committees that include teachers from the school, inspectors from the Ministry, and academics designated by the Ministry.

Eylem recounted that the exam was held in June, and after some students who failed the exam lodged appeals, a second exam was conducted two and a half months later in September. She revealed that a student who had previously failed was admitted through this external exam, which she criticized for being conducted “secretively” without public announcement or teacher involvement.

Concerns Over Irregularities

Eylem remarked that issues such as bribery, corruption, and nepotism are also reflected in education, vowing to continue exposing all irregularities and injustices. When asked about the Ministry’s reasoning behind conducting such an exam, she urged them to provide an explanation.

Addressing a politician's statement wishing for a school year without protests and strikes, Eylem expressed disbelief, stating that the ones causing disruptions are the government and the Ministry of Education, urging them to stop deceiving the public.

Tahir Gökçebel: "The Issue is Not Just Infrastructure, But Aimlessness"

KTOEÖS General Secretary Tahir Gökçebel also spoke, expressing concerns that the school has not published its earthquake risk report, questioning whether it could face sudden declarations of danger, similar to what happened in Lefke.

Gökçebel pointed out that laws are not being followed, and unfair advantages are being granted to certain individuals. He remarked that the manner of conducting the exam and assigning students has been clear for years, arguing that conducting it for one person implies favoritism and inequality.

Claiming that schools have become aimless, Gökçebel questioned how much the Nicosia Anadolu Fine Arts High School can truly be considered an arts school. He stressed that the issues in education extend beyond infrastructure, highlighting a general aimlessness within the system. He criticized the inability to resolve even routinely discussed issues, citing instances where schools are closed for five days under the guise of a congress.

Calls for Reform in the Education System

Gökçebel asserted that “our children are being wasted, and our teachers are being pushed to exhaustion,” emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot education system needs to be completely restructured. He explained that public education represents the future, science, and a secular societal structure, urging parents not to remain passive observers, warning that this political approach will harm their most valuable assets: their children.

In response to inquiries about the Ministry of Education, Gökçebel criticized the lack of accountability for what has transpired at the Nicosia Anadolu Fine Arts High School. He noted that the new school year would begin with a shortage of 100 teachers, placing the burden of these staffing gaps on existing teachers.

Gökçebel clarified that their concern is not with the Ministry but rather with the need to improve the quality of public education.