Eğitim-İş, Hasan Ferdi Turgutlu opposes the demolition of MTAL's A block

Kadem Özbay, Chairman of Eğitim-İş, made a written statement regarding Hasan Ferdi Turgutlu MTAL, which has been providing education since 1946. Stating that the school has an important place in Turgutlu's educational and industrial history, Özbay stated that 1309 students are educated and 110 teachers work in the 22-acre campus.

'THEY INSIST ON THE DECISION OF DEMOLITION'

Özbay stated that Block A, built in 1964, was wanted to be demolished due to "earthquake risk" and argued that the technical report prepared by Pamukkale University revealed that it was possible to strengthen the building. Stating that the reinforcement projects have been completed, Özbay said that, on the other hand, Manisa Provincial Directorate of National Education insisted on the demolition decision. Özbay also stated that Turgutlu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has undertaken to cover all the reinforcement costs and noted that the building can be strengthened without spending from the public budget.

WARNING ALSO FOR REGISTERED WORKSHOPS

Eğitim-İş stated that three workshop buildings built in the same period as Block A were registered as cultural assets within the scope of the file prepared by the Turgutlu Chamber of Architects. According to the union, there is technical and architectural integrity between the buildings due to the electricity, natural gas and internet connections between the workshops and Block A. Özbay stated that if block A is demolished, registered workshops may be deprived of infrastructure services.

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WERE VICTIMIZED

Eğitim-İş stated that with the closure of Block A shortly before the schools opened, more than 730 students and approximately 60 teachers were directed to other schools, and claimed that the process also brought planning problems. According to the union's statement, the Electrical-Electronics department of the school was moved to İnci Üzmez MTAL, and the Information Technologies department was moved to Şehit Anıl Barış Çetin MTAL. It was claimed that after these procedures, approximately 30 teachers became more than normal. Stating that there is no direct public transportation to Martyr Anıl Barış Çetin MTAL, where some of the students will study, Eğitim-İş stated that transportation and food expenses create an additional burden, especially for low-income families.

'LET THE FUTURE OF THE CAMPUS BE EXPLAINED'

Eğitim-İş drew attention to the allegations that not only the A block of the school, but also the approximately 10-year-old B block may be included in the scope of demolition or reinforcement in the future. The union wanted the plans for the future of the 22-acre land to be made public. Kadem Özbay stated that their primary demands were to strengthen Block A in line with the report of Pamukkale University, to cancel the transfer of teachers and their staff to other schools, and to not separate students from formal education. Özbay also emphasized that the quality of the school campus as an educational area should be protected and said, "We will follow the Hasan Ferdi Turgutlu MTAL issue until the end."