Parents protest 'phased closure' of historic Turkish high school

Parents and teachers are voicing strong opposition to a decision to "phase out" Mehmet Akif İnan Anatolian High School, a historic building previously known as Baltazzi Mansion and converted into a high school in the 1930s. The school had been temporarily relocated due to renovation work, but parents claim that even after renovations were completed, a supposed shortage of just one toilet and one sink was used as a pretext to close the institution.

Protesting parents likened the situation to preventing someone from returning to their home after renovations are finished, arguing that minor deficiencies are being used to dismantle a significant educational institution. They assert that the decision is entirely unlawful under the new Secondary Education Institutions Regulation published on July 3, 2026. This regulation, they contend, bases a school's central exam (LGS) admitting status not only on academic success but also on project work, social and cultural activities, and achievements in national and international competitions – criteria they believe Mehmet Akif İnan Anatolian High School fully meets.

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This situation is like preventing someone who temporarily left their home for renovation from returning after the renovation is completed. A whole educational giant is being targeted for destruction using simple deficiencies as excuses.

Parents have submitted a formal application to the CİMER (Presidential Communications Center) requesting an upgrade in the school's status rather than its closure. The issue has reportedly been escalated to the Provincial Directorate of National Education. A critical meeting with ministry officials is scheduled, after which a final decision regarding the school's future is expected by Tuesday.

Expressing anxiety for students and uncertainty for teachers, parents have appealed to officials to rectify the "mistake" in the administrative process. They declared that if a positive decision for the school's reopening and status upgrade is not made by Tuesday, their protests, press statements, and democratic actions will intensify. They vowed to continue their struggle until the school reopens, even stating they would march to Ankara to make their voices heard, refusing to let their children's future be jeopardized by an erroneous decision.

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Administrative errors can be made in administrative processes; what is important is to correct this mistake. If a positive decision is not made on Tuesday for the reopening of our school and a change in its status, our actions, press statements, and democratic reactions will continue to grow. We will not abandon the struggle until our school reopens. If necessary, we will march to Ankara to make our voices heard! We will not allow our children's future to be darkened by a wrong decision.