18 million students have completed their first semester today. Kurdish-teaching Ferzad Kemanger Education Support House completed its semester.
A ceremony has been held in the school yard with the attendance of notable Kurdish politicians.
Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair reminded that they have struggled for the Kurdish language for years and it has not yet ended. She added that even though Ferzad Kemanger School was established under hard conditions, they have been planning to open more schools.
Diyarbakır Metropolitan Co-Mayor Gültan Kışanak said the following:
“This is just a beginning, a first step. I believe that it will grow further. We are here as a generation that was subjected to assimilation. However, our future will be with generation whom is not subjected to assimilation politics, have education in their mother tongue and integrate with its people, culture and society.”
Following the speech, Kışanak handed out the records to a school girl.
What happened?
3 Kurdish-speaking schools, Ferzad Kemanger Elementary School in Diyarbakır, Üveyş Ana Elementary School in Hakkari and Bêrîvan Elementary School in Şırnak initiated by NGOs including Kürdi-Der and Eğitim Sen as well as Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) have been established at the beginning of the semester.
However, the interior minister officers decreed to the the premisses on the basis of license issues.
Upon those closures, some student parents and demonstrators the seals and resumed the education.
Removed by Diyarbakır Governor’s Office, Ferzad Kemanger Elementary School’s seal has been removed. While the school has yet an official status, a request has been made for special status.
While 110 students are enrolled in 5 different grades, the school provides classes in sports, drawing, music, maths, general knowledge and Kurdish. The school will also offer Turkish and English after 4th grade. (NV/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.
