CENTRAL NEWS
Education and Science Laborers Union (Eğitim Sen), released a statement on the 38th anniversary of the Higher Education Council (HEC) establishment.
The Council of Higher Education (YÖK), established by the military coup juntas, has been the main instrument used by every political power to bring universities to its knees. However, never in history have universities been reduced as much as today.
It’s impossible to talk about free thought
To talk about free thought or critiques and ideas has become impossible in Turkey as a whole, including universities and academies. “Those who demand peace or carry out union activities attract pressure like lightning. The government is question are pressing all kinds of hate campaigns against academics, administrative and technical staff sending them to prisons. This mindset of management must be destroyed.”
“HEC should be removed”
The statement continued; “Universities in Turkey need a fundamental transformation and the first step is the removal of the Higher Education Council.”
“Our request is clear! The Council of Higher Education should be abolished, the restoration of the dismissed academicians, administrative and technical personnel to their institutions should be ensured. Their dignity should be restored and universities should be turned into institutions where democracy, equality, freedom and justice come to life.
The idea of a university that serves the interests of political power and the circles of capital should be abandoned and the idea of a university for the benefit of people, society and nature should be embraced. Otherwise, it is inevitable that this destruction will continue and create severe consequences ”.
