Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000614/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Giorgos Georgiou (The Left)
According to recent revelations, the Turkish-controlled teachers’ union KIB-TES is attempting to influence and alter the character of the Turkish Cypriot community’s education system. A report by KIB-TES to the President of Türkiye was recently revealed, calling on Türkiye to intervene in specific ways to make the educational programme in Turkish Cypriot schools more conservative.
This development is an extension of Türkiye’s increased interference in the internal affairs of Turkish Cypriots. As a result, among other things, transfers of teachers from Türkiye are being promoted, religious schools are being strengthened, and pressure is being exerted to establish compulsory religious education in the Occupied Territories of Cyprus.
All of this, however, contradicts the identity and will of the overwhelming majority of the Turkish Cypriot community and its representatives (political parties, educational unions, etc.).
In view of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission acquainted with the positions of the Turkish Cypriots on the above issue?
- 2.What measures does the Commission intend to put in place to support the right of the Turkish Cypriots to an independent education system?
Submitted: 11.2.2025