3 schools, one building in Konak: Parents revolt against the Ministry of National Education

In Konak district of Izmir, students of Melih Özakat Primary School — evacuated due to earthquake risk — and Salih İşgören Primary School, whose building was demolished, have been moved to the Gazi Secondary School building for the new academic year. With three schools consolidated under one roof, classrooms have swelled to 50 students, while parents say they live in fear that young children are getting lost in the crowds during school dismissal.

These schools in Konak, relocated on earthquake-damage grounds, had been managed with similar temporary arrangements in previous years, but the replacement buildings were not ready by the start of the new academic year.

Behram Kaya, chair of the Izmir branch of the All Student Parents Solidarity Association, called on the Ministry of National Education to complete construction of the demolished schools before the start of the academic term, reduce classroom overcrowding, and resolve staffing and hygiene problems. Kaya also criticised what he described as a deliberate shift of public attention away from real education issues toward contentious debates such as 'co-education.'

As of the time of publication, the Izmir Provincial Directorate of National Education had not issued any official statement regarding capacity or temporary placement plans.