Civil Society Groups Warn Atatürk Teacher Academy Should Not Become A Commercial Structure

In a joint statement, the organisations said they were closely following the proposed changes and warned against what they described as risks to the academy’s core mission.

The statement was issued by the Independent Youth Association (BAGEP), Digital Culture Association, Cyprus Turkish Young Entrepreneur Women’s Association (GİKAD), Green Hub Sustainable Living Community, Cyprus Turkish Young Physicians Association (KTGHD), Cyprus Turkish Student Organisation (KTOG), Famagusta Youth Centre Association (MAGEM) and HASDER Youth Club.

The groups noted that strengthening the Atatürk Teacher Academy and improving the quality of education is important, stressing that any legal amendments should reinforce the institution rather than weaken it.

They argued that the proposed regulations would open the way for the academy to charge student fees, while also creating “serious uncertainties” regarding quotas for foreign students, admission systems and exemption procedures.

Emphasising that teaching is not a profession that can be obtained through shortcuts, the organisations warned that allowing graduates of different disciplines to enter teaching through exemptions and accelerated pathways could undermine the quality of teacher training.

The statement underlined that the academy’s role is not to generate revenue but to train qualified teachers needed by the country.

It added that any regulation that could undermine equal access to education, weaken the status of the teaching profession or create uncertainty about the future should be reconsidered, calling for the issue to be addressed holistically with input from civil society organisations, academics and all relevant stakeholders.