School principals displaced in Gezi investigation for allowing students to attend protests

ANKARA – Doğan News Agency

A number of school principals have been re-assigned for allowing students to attend the Gezi protests. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah Gürel

A number of school principals have been re-assigned as part of the investigations the Ankara Governorship has launched against 101 school directors for allowing students to attend the Gezi protests.

While two principals were removed from their posts and appointed as regular teachers, five principals were moved to other schools within the scope of the probe.

The inspectors from the Provincial Directorate for National Education, who have been carrying out the questioning of the school managers and principals, claimed the probe was launched at the request of students’ parents.

“Families complained, saying ‘Our children, who we thought to be at school, are attending demonstrations. We’re worrying that something bad may happen to them. Schools send students to demonstrations, by permitting them.’ We have received many complains through 147 line or direct telephone,” Doğan news agency quoted inspectors as saying.

The inspectors claimed the principals had been re-assigned as a result of the long-lasting questioning of schools and parents, over the allegations of “encouraging and permitting students to participate in protests, not taking rolls, or making it look like they are at school.”

Another investigation into 80 people has been launched concerning protests about the incidents related to Gezi Park in the Black Sea province of Rize.

A total of 80 people, including senior figures from the Republican People Party (CHP) and the Education and Science Personnel Union (Eğitim-Sen), have been called to give testimonies over the accusations of violating the “Meeting and Demonstrations Law.”

The environmental protests over the demolition of trees at Istanbul’s Gezi Park turned into anti-government demonstrations, shaking the country over the summer.

Many public institutions, including Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT, have been criticized for investigating their employees for lending support to the protests.

Meanwhile, a Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy, İsmet Uçma likened Gezi Park to the Gallipoli War, saying they, as the government, battled with 77 powers during the protests as well.

The deputy’s remarks, which were voiced during a parliamentary discussion over the brutal police crackdown during the protests, have caused a rift between the lawmakers.