He had fallen from his balcony: Sad news about the teacher who became a national talking point in Turkey

Two years ago in Ankara, English teacher Eyüp Sağlık (60), who was subjected to disrespectful behavior by a student while teaching, had defended the student—who faced backlash for their actions—by saying, "A Turkish child cannot be lost over a single mistake. I have forgiven them. This is our child; we cannot cast them aside." Sağlık, who warmed hearts with this tolerant attitude, was seriously injured three months ago after falling from the balcony of his third-floor apartment and had been under observation. The retired teacher, who could not be saved despite all interventions, was laid to rest today.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

In March 2022, Eyüp Sağlık (60), who was working as an English teacher at a private school in the Sincan district of Ankara, was subjected to disrespectful behavior by a student who wanted to become a social media phenomenon. The moments, which were recorded by another student, drew widespread reaction, and an investigation was launched into the incident by the Ankara Provincial Directorate of National Education. Speaking to journalists who reached out to him after the incident, Sağlık defended his student and stated that he had forgiven them.

'I FAILED TO TEACH'

 Sağlık, who received great appreciation for his exemplary behavior, stated in an interview that he might have also been at fault, saying:

"We are, of course, adults and educators. A Turkish child cannot be lost over a single mistake. Everyone has made mistakes in the past, of course. This child did not commit an act of violence; yes, the actions were damaging to the teacher and the profession, but the child was not conscious of it. I have forgiven them. I met with them and their parent. This is our child; we cannot cast them aside. We failed to teach this child what they should do. I say this on my own behalf, not for my other colleagues. I failed to teach."

SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER FALLING FROM THE 3RD FLOOR

Sağlık, who became known across the country following this behavior, was seriously injured about 3 months ago when he slipped and fell from the 3rd floor while cleaning his balcony. It was learned that Sağlık, who was taken to Sincan Training and Research Hospital by ambulance and placed under treatment, had lost the function of his left arm, suffered a collapsed lung, and sustained fractures in various parts of his body. After 3 weeks of treatment there, he was transferred to Etlik City Hospital, where he continued to receive treatment for some time. He passed away due to his condition constantly deteriorating and a heart attack he suffered.

The funeral prayer for the late retired teacher was held following the noon prayer at the Central Mosque in the Körler neighborhood of Ankara's Çamlıdere district. After the funeral prayer, Sağlık was laid to rest in the district cemetery amidst tears.

'HIS HEART STOPPED, IT WAS RESTARTED'

Speaking about the incident, his older brother Ali Sağlık said, "My brother was cleaning the balcony window while still sleepy in the morning when his foot slipped and he fell from the third floor. Thanks to the help of neighbors, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He was treated in the hospital for 21 days. When the facilities of the hospital he was taken to were insufficient, he was transferred to another hospital. Even there, despite all efforts, he could not hold on to life. When he fell, his ribs were broken, his left arm lost its function, and his lung had collapsed. At first, he was conscious. We could talk. Later, he lost consciousness. He lived connected to machines for a while. His heart had stopped last week, but they managed to restart it. When his heart stopped again, he could not be saved this time."

'HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO HIS DAUGHTER'S WEDDING'

Stating that his brother wanted very much to attend his daughter's wedding but his health did not permit it, his brother Sağlık said, "He passed away with his eyes open. He could not make it to his daughter's wedding; he could not see it. We held the wedding without her father. He was alive at that time, but he was sleeping. He could not come to the wedding. He was a good person and a teacher. He was successful in his profession. He would only speak English in his class. He was not wanted to retire because he was successful. The school principal rejected his retirement request. But he retired by stating that he was tired, wanted to spend time with his family, and needed to rest. He would even work during holidays. The student's main goal there was to be a phenomenon. There, my brother, with his humility and the high spirituality that teaching provides, defended them by saying, 'those children are our children'."

News Source: 12punto