Teachers’ Unions Stage Warning Strike Against Disciplinary Regulation in İskele

The Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union (KTÖS) also joined the protest in solidarity, staging a strike at İskele İlker Karter Primary School from 08:00 to 12:40. Representatives from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Press Workers’ Union (Basın-Sen) visited the strike locations to show their support.

Union representatives, along with striking teachers, gathered in front of Bekirpaşa High School in İskele for a press statement.

Eylem: “They Are Trying to Silence Teachers with Pressure and Bans”

KTOEÖS President Selma Eylem stated that Bekirpaşa High School was one of the schools resisting what she called the “imposed” Disciplinary Regulation. She asserted that teachers had continued their struggle for months despite threats and pressure from the Ministry.

Criticizing the Council of Ministers for acting on political orders in postponing the previously planned strike at Bekirpaşa High School, Eylem said, “This only shows how afraid they are of teachers.”

She accused the authorities of attempting to suppress the protesting teachers through coercion and restrictions but affirmed that both society and educators would persist in their resistance. Eylem also highlighted alarming social issues, noting that around 68 girls under the age of 18 are mothers in the country, describing this as a consequence of the prevailing mentality.

She stressed that the fight against the Disciplinary Regulation would continue and that the unions would not yield to temporary threats, measures, or pressure.

Maviş: “We Will Defend Our Secular and Scientific Education”

KTÖS Secretary General Burak Maviş praised the stand taken by teachers at Bekirpaşa High School, saying it sent a message to society: “We will remain loyal to Atatürk’s principles and reforms. We will not give up our secular lifestyle or scientific education.”

Maviş affirmed the commitment to personal freedoms in the country, including freedom of belief, conscience, worship, and dress, while vowing to protect children from any form of abuse, be it religious, sexual, or political.

He criticized the Council of Ministers for trying to resolve the issue by banning and postponing strikes, arguing that the matter could only be solved through dialogue and with respect for the identity and culture of the Turkish Cypriot community. He described the strike postponement as a sign of failure.

Maviş stated that the legal battle would continue in the Constitutional Court and that KTÖS and KTOEÖS would stand in solidarity throughout the process. He concluded with a pointed remark: “We may wear Atatürk badges on our chests, but there is no sharia in our minds.”