40 Teacher Positions Still Unfilled, KTOEÖS General President Selma Eylem Highlights

The Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEÖS) held a symbolic protest in front of the Ministry of Education, drawing attention to ongoing issues in the education system, including a shortage of teachers and unsupervised lesson hours. With exams just days away, KTOEÖS General President Selma Eylem emphasized that 40 teacher positions were still unfilled in schools.

Eylem criticized the Ministry's proposed solution of combining classes in some subjects, questioning the pedagogical validity of having "three different teachers for one lesson." She also condemned the ongoing construction work in schools, criticizing the use of temporary containers for full-day education, which she said led to students going hungry and facing security risks.

A banner at the protest read, “For democratic, modern, quality, scientific secular education; for respected, enlightened, free teachers; for humane livelihood and life, we will continue to resist and fight.”

Opposition to Government Actions

Eylem stressed that attacks on teachers and the union would not be tolerated, declaring, "We will continue to resist and fight against all these impositions and threats." She also raised concerns about the marginalization of teachers who began their careers after 2008 and 2011, particularly regarding their future pension challenges. Eylem criticized the Minister of Education for turning a blind eye to these issues and called for their resignation.

Gökçebel's Criticism

KTOEÖS General Secretary Tahir Gökçebel also criticized the Education Minister, accusing them of being part of a broader culture of misconduct and spreading misinformation. He claimed that the Ministry continued to undermine teachers, hiring those with political connections rather than addressing actual needs, and sought to manipulate public perception by blaming the union leadership.

Gökçebel concluded by stating that if the Ministry of Education continued along its current path, it would be held accountable, with teachers committed to demanding justice.