Teachers in Rizokarpaso, North Cyprus are resisting frequent inspections by education ministry inspectors due to increased oversight and bureaucratic barriers imposed by the ‘foreign ministry’ in the north. This has led to tensions as inspectors’ access is hindered, affecting necessary school maintenance and the censorship of educational materials.
Why are school teachers in North Cyprus resisting inspections?
Teachers in Rizokarpaso, North Cyprus are resisting frequent inspections by education ministry inspectors due to increased oversight and bureaucratic barriers imposed by the ‘foreign ministry’ in the north. This has led to tensions as inspectors’ access is hindered, affecting necessary school maintenance and the censorship of educational materials.
Resistance to Oversight in Rizokarpaso Schools
In the tranquil town of Rizokarpaso in Northern Cyprus, a new wave of unrest has been observed, not from the students but from the teachers themselves. Greek Cypriot educators employed at local schools have taken a stand against the frequency of checks imposed by education ministry inspectors. This tension surfaced publicly on a Tuesday, casting a spotlight on the simmering issue.
The Root of the Standoff
The situation began to unfold several months prior when a group of inspectors arrived at a Rizokarpaso gymnasium. The team identified certain changes necessary for the institution’s betterment. However, when they attempted to return and evaluate the progress of these recommendations, they encountered an unexpected obstacle. The school directed them to seek permission from the ‘foreign ministry’ of the north to proceed with any further inspections.
A Tangled Web of Bureaucracy
The ‘foreign ministry’ in question has seemingly been establishing barriers to these inspections. Officials have indicated that the Republic’s foreign ministry must submit a request to the United Nations for any visitations to occur. This approach has secretly received backing from a subset of the school’s teaching staff, as detailed in reports that emerged on the same Tuesday. With the inspectors’ access hindered, necessary maintenance works at the schools are now in limbo.
The Censorship of Educational Materials
Beyond the restrictions on physical oversight, the ‘authorities’ in the north have been meticulously examining all books entering the schools. In the past, certain historical and English language textbooks have faced prohibition or censorship, with disapproved materials having pages excised. Teachers are then challenged to adapt their curriculum to these modified resources.
Official Responses to the Blockade
Athena Michaelidou, the Education Minister, addressed the matter, acknowledging the longstanding awareness of these challenges. She expressed concern that not only inspectors but also any ministry personnel involved in teacher evaluation or training face obstruction when attempting to enter the occupied areas. The ongoing issues are currently under the purview of the foreign ministry for resolution.
Broader Implications
Last week’s revelations pointed to the block on inspectors originating from a directive by Tahsin Ertugruloglu, allegedly stemming from June. The education sector’s friction serves as a microcosm reflecting the broader complexities and tensions within the divided island, where politics often spill over into the realm of education and social welfare.
Quick Recap
- Teachers in Rizokarpaso, North Cyprus are resisting frequent inspections due to increased oversight and bureaucratic barriers imposed by the ‘foreign ministry’ in the north.
- This has led to tensions as inspectors’ access is hindered, affecting necessary school maintenance and the censorship of educational materials.
- The situation began when a group of inspectors were directed to seek permission from the ‘foreign ministry’ to proceed with any further inspections.
- The ‘foreign ministry’ has established barriers to inspections, requiring the Republic’s foreign ministry to submit a request to the United Nations for visitations to occur.
- Authorities in the north have been meticulously examining all books entering the schools, resulting in the prohibition or censorship of certain textbooks.
