KTOEÖS teachers’ union protests against organized sending of female students in hijabs to schools

The Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS) held a protest in response to claims that female students in hijabs are being systematically sent to study at Atatürk High School and Bekirpaşa High School. According to the union, such practices reflect attempts to transform the educational model for reasons unrelated to learning and contradict the principles of secular, scientific, free, and quality public education.

The protest was attended by KTOEÖS Secretary General Tahir Gökçebel, Basın-Sen President Ali Kişmir, Independence Path (Bağımsızlık Yolu) Secretary General Umut Ersoy, New Cyprus Party (YKP) Secretary General Murat Kanatlı, as well as several teachers who are union members.

In his speech, Gökçebel stated that such actions are part of a policy aimed at imposing “political Islam” on the Turkish Cypriot community. He stressed that the organized presence of head-covered girls in schools for religious reasons represents an attempt to use the education system for political and religious influence.

Gökçebel also noted that theological schools receive more privileges and resources compared to regular public secondary schools. According to him, constitutional principles — democratic, secular, and scientific education — remain only on paper if practices contrary to these norms are tolerated.

Other participants expressed solidarity with the teachers. Umut Ersoy supported the teachers’ effort to preserve the secular and democratic character of education. Ali Kişmir stated that defending these principles is a collective responsibility of society and that teachers will not be left alone in their demands. Murat Kanatlı emphasized that this is not only about disciplinary rules but also about systemic problems in education.

KTOEÖS announced that it intends to continue fighting for the preservation of quality and fair education and will not abandon its principled positions. According to the union, the protest aimed to draw public attention to issues of academic freedom, secularism, and social justice in the secondary education system.