August 23, 2006

To prevent the education from commercialization, members of the Peoples Houses organization launched a “Free Registration” drive in Izmir High schools.

However, according to the complaint they filed, one school administrator who was also a member of teachers union prevented them. When the Free Registration advocates took the matter to the union offices, they were harassed and insulted.

Every year, the Peoples Houses organization opens a table at schools during registration periods, and with their lawyers and supporters, they register many students free of any fees. The attack in Izmir marks a first against such efforts from a unionized school official.

The Peoples Houses gave the following information on the event:

“The officials who defend unlawful money collection attacked the students, their parents and our members who were helping out for a free registration to schools. The officials who never were able to explain why they collect all the fees for registration refused to accept the Free Registration procedures. When they were asked to give an official reply to why the Free Registration was not accepted, the officials replied that it was a requirement. When our members wanted to record the reply and the reaction of the officials, the school administration staff broke the cameras and shouted insults and profanities at us. They locked the doors and attacked our friends.

The Peoples Houses took the matter to the teachers union for an answer. The Union officials of Eğitim Sen said the school wanted to buy two packets of paper with the fees, but Peoples Houses’ real intention was to cause problem. Then they also started shouting profanities to the free Education activists.”

The Free Education activists are considering taking the officials to court on the incident.

Sendika.org

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