Atatürk portrait and Turkish flag were removed from the coat of arms of Çorum Eti Anatolian High School

The Atatürk portrait and the Turkish flag, which were on the coat of arms of Çorum Eti Anatolian High School, one of Çorum's well-established educational institutions, which has educated thousands of students since 1966, were removed from the coat of arms. Eğitim-İş Çorum Branch reacted to the situation.

A statement was made by the branch regarding the issue.

'WE DO NOT ACCEPT'

"What was the need to remove the founder of our Republic and the symbol of our independence from the coat of arms representing the history and identity of an educational institution? Who decided on this change? Is there a decision taken by the school administration, the board of teachers or the relevant authorities on this issue? Is there the knowledge and approval of the Directorate of National Education?" Asking the questions, the union branch said, "We do not accept the removal of Ataturk and the Turkish flag, which are the most important values of our country, from the coat of arms of the most established institution of our province. Moreover, considering the disciplinary processes that have been experienced in the past regarding the management of this school, it is extremely natural for the public to expect transparency and accountability from the school administration. The role of the school principal in this change, who had undergone investigation and disciplinary sanctions due to his managerial practices in the past, and who was re-appointed to the same well-established educational institution after being assigned to another institution for a while, is also clarified. "It needs to be reconciled," he said.

'NOT A SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION, BUT A COMMON VALUE'

Addressing the Çorum Provincial Directorate of National Education, the union branch said, "Will you remain silent in the face of this practice that changes the historical identity of a school? Will you explain to the public who, on what date and on what authority was the decision to remove the Atatürk and Turkish flag from the coat of arms? Will you supervise such changes in the educational institutions responsible for keeping the values of the Republic alive?" asked questions.

The union branch concluded its statement as follows: "Do not forget! Atatürk is not a memory of the past of this country, but the founder of our Republic and one of the main references of our national education. The Turkish flag is the symbol of our independence and common national identity. As Eğitim-İş Çorum branch: The reason for the change in the school emblem and the decision process should be announced immediately, legitimate questions in the public regarding the removal of Atatürk and the Turkish flag should be answered, and an arrangement should be made in accordance with the historical identity of the school. The name of Atatürk and the Republic's "We will not remain silent against any attempt to erase our values from education. In these days when we celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our Republic, it is a responsibility to the public to clarify this change in the coat of arms of one of Çorum's most established educational institutions. Neither Atatürk nor the Turkish flag in the schools of the Republic is a matter of debate, it is our common value!”