The Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS) and the Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS) have both strongly criticised the postponement of teacher appointments and the delayed opening of schools, voicing their frustration in a series of public statements, Yeniduzen reports.
Schools, which were supposed to open shortly, will now remain closed until at least September 23, just one day before the academic year is meant to begin.
KTÖS Secretary General Burak Maviş expressed his frustration, stating, “They couldn’t open schools today, and next time, they won’t be able to open hospitals. They have no plan and are incompetent“. He further noted the broader systemic issues facing the Turkish Cypriot community, pointing to bribery, lies, partisanship, and fake diplomas. Maviş emphasised that political interference has severely damaged the education system, arguing that “the problem is not about teacher appointments, but the upcoming congress“. He also criticised the ruling AKP’s political influence, suggesting that the party is a significant factor in the crisis.
KTÖS President Mustafa Baybora added that this is the first time in history schools have opened late, highlighting the lack of proper planning. He claimed that the delay was intentional, stating, “If Ambassador Ünal says, ‘Open the schools tomorrow,’ they would open them“. This, he said, was an example of the Turkish Cypriot government’s inability to act independently.
Supporting the protest, KTAMS President Güven Bengihan echoed these sentiments, accusing the government of sacrificing the future of children for political gain. “They have descended on the country like a dark cloud“, Bengihan remarked, suggesting that the current leadership is driven by self-interest rather than the wellbeing of the community.
Meanwhile, KTOEÖS President Selma Eylem condemned the government’s priorities, criticising the construction of extravagant buildings while children are left to study in temporary container classrooms. Referring to the construction of the new presidential palace complex, she said, “We do not need palaces in this country”, pointing out that the funds spent on such projects could have been used to build much-needed schools and hospitals. Eylem called on the government to repurpose such lavish projects into practical public services. She even suggested that MPs should live in the containers to experience the conditions the children are facing.
KTOEÖS Secretary General Tahir Gökçebel labelled the situation as part of a “regime construction”, accusing the authorities of sacrificing the health and education of the Turkish Cypriot community. EL-SEN President Ahmet Tuğcu also voiced his concerns, stating that this is the first time in his life he has seen schools fail to open. He warned that the ongoing crisis is affecting every sector of society, emphasising the importance of turning this frustration into a broader social movement.
As protests continue, both unions have pledged to remain vocal, stressing that the current leadership has lost touch with the needs of the people. The issue, they argue, goes beyond education—it reflects a deeper political and social crisis that demands immediate attention.
