Teacher Unions: The Solution is the Enforcement of Laws and Protection of Secularism

Following the meeting, the unions issued a statement emphasizing the need for the enforcement of laws and the protection of the principle of secularism. They also called for the resignation of the Minister of National Education, Nazım Çavuşoğlu, underlining that the struggle would continue.

In his statement, KTÖS General Secretary Burak Maviş expressed that the headscarf issue was not just a matter of clothing but was about children being defined by religious and political symbols. He questioned whether children, all of whom are under 18 years old, are wearing headscarves of their own volition or under family pressure, highlighting that the constitution defines who a child is.

KTÖS President Mustafa Baybora emphasized that teachers would continue to defend secularism and criticized the absence of Erhan Arıklı from the meeting. He stated that Arıklı’s absence was due to his inability to tolerate criticism. Baybora also called for the resignation of Minister Çavuşoğlu, arguing that using ethnic backgrounds for political purposes and trying to divide society was wrong.

KTOEÖS President Selma Eylem remarked that the headscarf issue was exacerbating societal divisions and creating polarization. She expressed that those responsible for the current tensions were now asking for a consensus on the headscarf issue, but that the unions would not allow this to happen.

Eylem also reiterated the demand for Minister Çavuşoğlu’s resignation and called for the enforcement of the laws. KTOEÖS General Secretary Tahir Gökçebel added that the changes in educational regulations had not limited any student’s right to education. He criticized the Minister for leaving decisions up to school administrations, stating that it should not be left to the discretion of a single individual.

The teacher unions reaffirmed their belief that the headscarf debate should not be linked to educational policies and emphasized that the solution could only be found within the framework of the law. They pledged to continue their struggle for the protection of secularism and educational rights.