Harassing teacher remains on duty despite incriminating messages

12punto EXCLUSIVE

It has emerged that an investigation into a teacher in Bursa, who allegedly sent sexually harassing messages to a student, has been ongoing for 3 months. It is claimed that attempts are being made to cover up the incident without referring it to the judiciary.

Selahattin Gürses, Bursa Branch No. 2 President of the Hürriyetçi Eğitim Sen union, who brought the incident to public attention, stated the following to 12Punto: "The gravity of this situation is not just the abuse of our student, but also the victimization of our parents who, trusting the institution, left their only children in its care and returned to their work in peace. An even more disastrous aspect of all this is the Ministry of National Education's attempt to cover up and bury such a grave situation, simply with the logic that the perpetrator is 'one of us' and a supporter.

This is an effort to dilute the issue and remove it from the agenda by dragging out this incident, which occurred approximately 4 months ago. Unfortunately, the meat has rotted, and the salt we trusted has also rotted; the inspection mechanism and management mechanism have moved away from fairness, justice, and merit, and even in such an incident, the classification of 'us versus them' could not be abandoned, and motives of protection and favoritism have come into play. As the Hürriyetçi Eğitim Sen union, we will follow this matter to the end, regardless of who or which institution is affected. We expect this person, who does not deserve the title of teacher, to be dismissed from duty immediately and for the law to take its course to the fullest extent."

The incident took place at a high school in Bursa. Following the revelation of the incident, the Provincial Directorate of National Education appointed an investigator (muhakik) instead of assigning an inspector, as required. The first investigator withdrew from the inquiry. Subsequently, the principal of another school was appointed as the investigator. It is alleged that this person also disregarded the WhatsApp messages. 

Selahattin Gürses stated that they heard the Ministry of National Education (MEB) had launched an investigation. He added that they would continue their struggle if an investigation had not been initiated. While a teacher who engages in such messaging should be suspended to ensure a proper investigation, the teacher has continued to perform their duties for 3 months.  

The Headquarters of the All Teachers' Union (TÖB-SEN) reacted to the Bursa Provincial Directorate of National Education in a post on their X social media account. 

In the post made by TÖB-SEN, it was stated: "The Bursa Provincial Directorate of National Education, which exiled our Bursa Provincial Representative Serkan Bebek for protecting and defending students and made his union activities a subject of crime, has appointed a school principal as an investigator for the investigation regarding these conversations between teacher S. and student N. at a school, rather than an inspector from the province. Why? Is it perhaps because the individuals in question are members of Eğitim Bir Sen?"

News Source: 12punto