Disciplinary punishment for teacher who said 'We don't want to die at school'

While the successive incidents of violence in schools caused the reaction of education workers; Teachers who want schools to be made safe also face disciplinary sanctions.

The latest example of this was the disciplinary penalty given to Eğitim-İş General Staff-Law and TİS Secretary Yeliz Toy.

After the school attack organized by İsa Aras Mersinli in Kahramanmaraş in April 2026, in which 10 people lost their lives, Toy made the statement "We do not want to die at school" and a penalty of suspension of grade advancement was requested.

Toy, who said that he made the statement within the scope of his union activities, refused to give a defense for this reason.

Toy's objections to the punishment were accepted by the Provincial Disciplinary Board of Bursa Provincial Directorate of National Education. However, Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız gave Toy a disciplinary penalty.

Reacting to the disciplinary penalty, Toy called out to Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız and questioned the reason for the decision.

Toy said that they wanted to punish teachers and students for defending their right to life and stated that he would not give up the struggle for secular and scientific education.

Toy used the following statements in his statement:

"The difference between the administrative sensitivity you showed to my words 'We do not want to die at school!' and the acceptance you showed to the robed and turbaned cultists you hosted in your office will not go unnoticed by the public. Although, Mr. Governor, we know you from these preferences! But today, our issue is not who you welcome to your office, but on what grounds you give disciplinary punishment.

Or is your real issue our uncompromising stance on secular, scientific, public and Republican education? As teachers of the Republic, are we being punished for insisting on an education system guided by science that is not handed over to sects?

According to the news in BirGün, Toy emphasized that disciplinary punishment will not deter him from the values he defends and continued as follows:

"Know this very well. I am in the same place today as I was for defending yesterday! I will continue to defend the schools of the Republic, secular and scientific education, the honor of teachers, and the right to life of children."

Neither your disciplinary punishments, nor your investigations, nor the power of your authorities can make me take one step back from the values I believe in! Because I get my strength from the values of the Republic and the righteous struggle of teachers. The teachers of the Republic will not remain silent, will not give up the struggle for secular education, and will not surrender the future of children to darkness!”