Allegations of 'loyalty over merit' structure in education: 'Mafia-like' network besieges district education

An investigation was launched against Abdullah Cankara, the principal of Çamlıyayla Kasım Ekenler Multi-Program Anatolian High School in Mersin, after he spoke out about irregularities within the District Directorate of National Education. 

DEM Party deputies Ali Bozan and Perihan Koca both submitted a parliamentary question and brought the issue to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey regarding the grievances experienced after school principal Cankara was discredited, removed from his position, and exiled as a teacher to a school in the Mut district, located at the other end of the city.

What is being alleged?

According to information obtained by 12punto, serious accusations including "misconduct in office," "consumption of public resources for personal and political gain," and "mobbing against teachers" have been leveled against Acting Çamlıyayla District Director of National Education İsmail Bahadır Çetin and Acting Branch Manager Mehmet Ağar.

Some of the irregularities that Cankara allegedly objected to during his tenure as school principal are stated as follows:

Scrap and Renovation Scandal: The fate of tons of scrap zinc removed from the roofs of the District Directorate of National Education lodgings and Atatürk Secondary School remains unknown. Furthermore, allegations that the renovation of İsmail Bahadır Çetin's personal lodging was covered by funds allocated to a school in Tarsus are awaiting clarification in judicial processes.

Fictitious Assignments: It is alleged that teachers named Orhan Meral and Ayhan Tatlı were shown as working in the R&D office because they were members of their own union, did not attend classes, and received irregular additional course payments. It is also among the allegations that these teachers were constantly on sick leave during this period.

'Union' Favoritism in Lodgings: While families with children who cannot find houses in the district are being victimized, it is stated that individuals such as Berat Asmakaya and Erol Bostan were placed in lodgings without any public announcement, even though they own their own homes in the district.

'Paid Teaching' with Political References

Another development that has shaken the education community is the "paid teaching" appointments. 

According to the allegation, while more than 50 candidates with KPSS scores and pedagogical formation certificates were waiting, AKP District Women's Branch President Seçil Acer (a 2-year tourism graduate) and executive Seda Çemrek (a literature graduate) were directly assigned as teachers to kindergartens. 

On the other hand, the fact that tenders for schools and the Çamlıyayla State Hospital are consistently given to AKP District Deputy Chairman Ahmet Küçük fuels debates over "political rent."

'Setup' Network with Students Whose Absences Were Erased

It is alleged that Acting Branch Manager Mehmet Ağar, during his time as acting school principal, enabled some students to pass their classes unfairly by erasing their absences from the e-school system. 

Furthermore, according to the information obtained, it is claimed that students named Mehmet Ali Akyürek and Ömer Oksal were made to write "slander petitions" against educators whom Ağar and his team held grudges against, in exchange for this "privilege" provided to them.

Resource Transfer via 'Official Vehicle' and 'Social Foundation'

The arbitrary practices of administrative authorities are not limited to this. It is alleged that İsmail Bahadır Çetin and Mehmet Ağar used the official vehicle for personal business without any duty order; and that they caused public loss by procuring reference books and practice exams worth over 400 thousand TL through the Çamlıyayla District Governorate Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation, in violation of Ministry of National Education circulars.

Was the Investigation Process Leaked from 'Inside'?

On the other hand, a grave allegation concerns the integrity of the administrative investigations. 

Allegations that District Governor Veli Avcı showed complaint petitions directly to the accused İsmail Bahadır Çetin and shared their contents, and that governorate personnel Sinan Baba leaked copies of the petitions to the suspects, strengthen the view that "the investigation was compromised from the very beginning."

The intense mobbing process targeting teachers who are members of different unions and who are the targets of this "mafia-like" structure has completely darkened the educational climate in the region. 

In the face of these allegations, the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) emphasizes that an urgent inspection team should be sent and that administrative suspensions should be carried out immediately.

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU

News Source: 12punto