KTÖS stated that the Minister of National Education’s effort to transfer the responsibility of meeting the needs of schools to school parents unions and unions by not allocating a share from the budget for the right of students to access the right to education, which is one of the most basic needs, in a qualified, free, healthy and safe manner, shows that the problem is not the quality of education. ” he argued.
In a written statement on behalf of the union, Burak Maviş, Secretary General of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union (KTÖS), pointed out that the schools will open in two weeks and noted that it is a necessity of democracy for the society to question how the needs of schools will be met and to hold them accountable together with the unions.
Maviş summarized the technological, physical and educational furnishing needs “big for schools, small for the Ministry of Education” as follows:
“A research we have done shows us that schools have annual expenses (according to student population, number of teachers and school area) varying between 20 thousand TL and 250 thousand TL. Last year, the government did not give a single penny to public schools, where 43,387 students received public education.
20 percent of schools lack teachers’ toilets, students’ toilets, canteens and outdoor playgrounds. 60 percent of the schools do not have separate classrooms where lessons such as music, painting, physical education and foreign language will be taught that help children’s mental, physical and spiritual development.
While it is obvious that a shaded area is needed in order to be able to do physical education and sports in a healthy way in the climatic conditions of Cyprus, 80 percent of the schools do not have a gym.
40 percent of schools do not have security cameras, and 65 percent do not have night guards. More than half of our schools do not have an earthquake feasibility report.
According to the results of the research, there is a lack of computers/laptops in 60 percent of our schools and a lack of smart boards/projection devices in 70 percent of our schools. Internet access, which is the most basic technological need is not available in 30 percent of schools.
According to the results of our 14th research, 55 percent of our schools lack sports equipment, 65 percent lack musical and musical instruments, and 70 percent lack painting and handicraft materials.”
“WHERE ARE UNUSED RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION AND HEALTH TRANSFERRED?”
Criticizing the Minister of Education and other ministers by making literature for the poor at every opportunity, Maviş continued as follows:
“There are resources in this country, there is irresponsible use of resources by the government. This government has enough wealth to pay 3.9 million TL per month to 70 people appointed by tripartite decree, 6 million TL to 116 consultants, and 86 thousand TL to each foreign representative employee per month.
This government has the wealth to not question the 750 million TL loan given from the Development Bank but not repaid, or to cause a loss of 223 million TL to the Electricity Authority due to the purchase of fuel without a tender.
This government has the luxury of conscience to subsidize the ultra-rich and cut taxes. This government has a reputation to insist on the ‘complex’, which costs 2 billion 497 million TL, while its schools and hospitals are falling apart.
Emphasizing that the results clearly show that those who do not allocate more budget for education and spend resources irresponsibly should be held accountable. Maviş added that they will continue to work with the awareness of their duties and responsibilities as a union.