Maviş: While Külliye Proceeds Rapidly, Education Ministry Waits on Donors for Schools

Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s program Gündem, Maviş pointed out that structural inequalities in education exacerbate stress for children and parents, noting: “Schools should be places of equality, but disparities persist. Schools are among the starting points of rights violations.”

Maviş expressed concern over increasing violence in schools, stating that teachers face growing aggression from students and even online harassment. “Behind students prone to violence are unresolved traumas. Instead of punishing children, we need to hold families accountable,” he said.

Addressing earthquake safety, Maviş revealed that 127 schools need strengthening, but only 17% have been retrofitted. He added that 20% of classrooms are housed in containers. “We need new schools, but the Ministry of Education installs containers instead. While municipalities and religious groups manage to construct facilities, the ministry waits for private donors to build schools,” he said.

Maviş also highlighted the lack of a clear population policy, noting that last year, 57% of students were TRNC citizens, 33% Turkish nationals, and 10% of foreign origin. He criticized the lack of data for budget planning and called for better oversight of resources.