Teachers of Northern Cyprus held a nationwide strike

The Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (Kıbrıs Türk Orta Eğitim Öğretmenler Sendikası — KTOEÖS) held a nationwide strike today, protesting against “illegal actions, threats and pressure” from the authorities. The reason was the decision of the Ministry of National Education to launch an investigation against 34 union representatives and leaders.

Participants gathered at the union headquarters and marched to the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office, holding banners with the slogan: “Bu öğretmen buna izin vermeyecek” — “This teacher will not allow it”.

The head of KTOEÖS, Selma Eylem, stated that the authorities are trying to intimidate teachers with threats and disciplinary actions. She emphasized that “the appointed government and the minister of education hostile to teachers” are trying to undermine democratic principles, but the union will not succumb to pressure.

Eylem noted that the education system is “in a state of chaos”: children study in containers and unfinished buildings, while public services — education and healthcare — remain without support. “We will defend democracy, teachers’ rights, and the future of our children,” she said.