Latest news with #YusufTekin
Shafaq News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Istanbul quake aftermath: Schools, universities shut down
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Turkiye announced the suspension of classes in public and foundation-run schools and universities across Istanbul for the next two days due to the aftermath of a 6.2-magnitude earthquake. Turkish Education Minister Yusuf Tekin noted on X that no damage or incidents had been reported in schools, adding, 'Schoolyards will remain open to all citizens.' The Head of Turkiye's Council of Higher Education, Erol Özvar, stated in a televised address that classes at public and foundation universities in Istanbul would be suspended on Thursday and Friday. The Istanbul Governor's Office also announced administrative leave for pregnant employees, mothers with children under the age of ten, and persons with disabilities working in public institutions on the same days, excluding those in health and security services. İstanbul'da meydana gelen deprem nedeniyle çok şükür ki üniversitelerimizde herhangi bir olumsuzluk yaşanmamıştır. İstanbul'daki tüm yükseköğretim kurumlarımız Perşembe ve Cuma günü tatil edilmiştir. Tüm milletimize tekrar geçmiş olsun dileklerimi iletiyorum. — Erol Özvar (@erolozvar) April 23, 2025 The earthquake struck at 12:49 p.m. local time (09:49 GMT), followed by dozens of aftershocks. Officials reported that 151 people were injured, most of them while attempting to flee buildings in panic. No fatalities have been reported.
Hans India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
6.2-Magnitude Quake Hits Istanbul; Panic, Injuries Reported
A sequence of earthquakes, including a major tremor of magnitude 6.2, struck Istanbul on Wednesday, causing buildings to shake, triggering panic, and leading to injuries for over 150 residents. According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the epicenter of the strongest quake was located beneath the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul's Silivri district. The tremor, felt as far as Ankara—over 275 miles away—was followed by 51 aftershocks. Authorities confirmed the most powerful aftershock registered at magnitude 5.9. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated the main quake lasted 13 seconds and occurred about seven kilometers underground. While no fatalities or widespread structural damage have been reported, at least 151 people were injured, many after jumping from heights in fear during the tremors. Istanbul Governor's office confirmed that no residential buildings had collapsed. However, a partially abandoned structure in the Fatih district gave way, though no casualties resulted from the incident. Emergency response teams are conducting structural assessments citywide. In response to the quakes, Istanbul's Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced that all schools in the city would remain closed on Thursday and Friday. Schoolyards will remain open to provide safe public gathering areas. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the nation from Ankara, assuring that monitoring and response measures are ongoing. He emphasized that government agencies are coordinating efforts to assess potential risks and safeguard citizens. Local media showed scenes of residents evacuating buildings and gathering in open spaces. Many reported feeling successive tremors and described moments of confusion and fear. Emergency hotlines received over 6,000 calls within hours of the initial quake. Earthquake researcher Naci Görür stated that Wednesday's quakes occurred along the Kumburgaz fault line. While not the anticipated 'major' seismic event, he warned that the tremors increase strain along the fault and could trigger a more powerful future earthquake. Experts have warned for years that Istanbul, home to over 16 million people and built near the North Anatolian fault, remains vulnerable to high-magnitude quakes. In 1999, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Turkey, resulting in over 17,000 deaths. Authorities continue to advise residents to stay away from potentially damaged buildings and to limit mobile phone usage to emergency needs. Infrastructure services, including energy, water, and gas, remain unaffected at this time.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkish high school students protest at teacher changes
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Several hundred Turkish high school students staged protests at more than a dozen high-performing schools on Monday against the replacement of their teachers by what they called political appointments. The government denied claims that teachers who supported the political opposition had been suspended, while opposition parties and unions backed the students. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Students at Turkey's top-performing 'project schools' are protesting what they call politically motivated teacher reassignments. The demonstrations reflect unrest among youth amid broader tensions between the government and opposition over education and civil liberties. KEY QUOTE 'We're here to take a stand against the removal of our teachers without any valid reason,' said one student in Istanbul. At least a dozen others approached by Reuters said they feared speaking publicly due to possible government pressure. CONTEXT Hundreds of high school students demonstrated in Istanbul and Ankara on Monday. The protests follow a decision not to renew the terms of thousands of teachers at 'project schools,' elite institutions that receive extra state funding. Education Minister Yusuf Tekin said the terms of 38,000 teachers expired, with 80% renewed. He denied any political motive behind the reassignments. The ministry said the removals were routine administrative decisions, not linked to political views or activism. Opposition parties and unions say the changes are political and damage the culture of top schools. The protests echo earlier youth-led demonstrations following the jailing of opposition figure and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. THE RESPONSE The Education Ministry denied that teachers were reassigned due to political affiliations, calling the decisions part of a scheduled rotation policy. Tekin urged opposition figures not to politicize schools or incite protests. CHP Deputy Chair Suat Ozcagdas said the teacher removals 'destroyed the educational culture' of top schools and were part of a broader effort to raise "obedient generations." WHAT'S NEXT Protests may continue as unions and opposition parties rally around students, demanding transparency in appointments and reinstatement of dismissed teachers.
Reuters
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Turkish high school students protest at teacher changes
ISTANBUL, April 14 (Reuters) - Several hundred Turkish high school students staged protests at more than a dozen high-performing schools on Monday against the replacement of their teachers by what they called political appointments. The government denied claims that teachers who supported the political opposition had been suspended, while opposition parties and unions backed the students. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Students at Turkey's top-performing 'project schools' are protesting what they call politically motivated teacher reassignments. The demonstrations reflect unrest among youth amid broader tensions between the government and opposition over education and civil liberties. KEY QUOTE 'We're here to take a stand against the removal of our teachers without any valid reason,' said one student in Istanbul. At least a dozen others approached by Reuters said they feared speaking publicly due to possible government pressure. CONTEXT Hundreds of high school students demonstrated in Istanbul and Ankara on Monday. The protests follow a decision not to renew the terms of thousands of teachers at 'project schools,' elite institutions that receive extra state funding. Education Minister Yusuf Tekin said the terms of 38,000 teachers expired, with 80% renewed. He denied any political motive behind the reassignments. The ministry said the removals were routine administrative decisions, not linked to political views or activism. Opposition parties and unions say the changes are political and damage the culture of top schools. The protests echo earlier youth-led demonstrations following the jailing of opposition figure and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. THE RESPONSE The Education Ministry denied that teachers were reassigned due to political affiliations, calling the decisions part of a scheduled rotation policy. Tekin urged opposition figures not to politicize schools or incite protests. CHP Deputy Chair Suat Ozcagdas said the teacher removals 'destroyed the educational culture' of top schools and were part of a broader effort to raise "obedient generations." WHAT'S NEXT Protests may continue as unions and opposition parties rally around students, demanding transparency in appointments and reinstatement of dismissed teachers.
