“Censorship and prohibition exist when an Authority prevents or prohibits the publication or circulation of a book. There is no censorship in the Republic of Cyprus either “, the Ministry of Education responds through an announcement about the reactions that emerged regarding the tearing of a page that refers to Kemal Ataturk in a book of the 2nd grade of Lyceum. It adds to the announcement that “Books that can praise either Ataturk or other personalities who may be charged with crimes against humanity can be circulated and circulated in our country and whoever wants can use them. “But that does not mean they should be used for teaching in school.”
Read the announcement as it is:
In the textbook of English for the 2nd Lyceum, which was recently received and was to be used for the first time this year, an unacceptable and inappropriate report was found two days ago.
It is not possible in the books used for education in our schools to portray Kemal Ataturk as a model moral leader who “benefited the people.” Because, as is well known, Ataturk and the Neo-Turks are responsible for crimes against peoples, such as the Armenian, Pontian, Assyrian genocides.
The Republic of Cyprus, as well as several other democracies, such as the USA, France, etc., condemn the Armenian Genocide, which is considered a mass crime. Therefore, it goes without saying that there can be no such reference in a textbook.
Having identified the problem, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth (YPPAN) decided to withdraw the book. Any liability for negligence in this book will be investigated. It is also noted that recently some other books in English had been identified, with references to “northern Cyprus”, as if it were a second Cypriot state and relevant actions were taken and there was a restoration.
We remind you that it is the right of the Cypriot state and the competence and responsibility of the Government to decide which books will be used in our schools. Neither the Turkish Foreign Ministry nor the Turkish administration in the occupied territories can have a say in the matter. In fact, it is outrageous for the Turkish state, with its well-known attitude towards Cyprus, to make demands either to praise Kemal Ataturk or for the content of our education.
The selection of the book that will be used as a teaching aid is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. Not choosing one of the many possible books, because it is deemed inappropriate, is certainly not “censorship”.
Censorship and prohibition exist when an Authority blocks or prohibits the publication or circulation of a book. And in the Republic of Cyprus there is no censorship. Books that can either praise Ataturk or other personalities who can be charged with crimes against humanity can also be circulated and circulated in our country and whoever wants can use them. This does not mean, however, that they should be used for teaching in school.
Petros Papapoliviou [Assoc. Professor of Contemporary Greek History at the University. Cyprus]: The act of the Ministry of Education to withdraw the English book is incomprehensible
Because, really, it's a pity your kids
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