Education Union: Kurdish language should be guaranteed by constitution

Education Sen Van branch co-chair, Murat Atabay, said that a monist mentality continues to prevail against languages other than Turkish and drew attention to the assimilation policy.

Speaking to ANF on the occasion of 21 February, International Mother Language Day, Atabay said that no positive steps have been taken to ensure that Kurdish is constitutionally guaranteed as a language of education, and added: “We have been fighting for years for education in the mother tongue.

Especially recently, there has been a discussion on elective courses, but as a union, we do not see Kurdish as an elective course. We do not find it appropriate to teach a people’s mother tongue as an elective course. We advocate for the Kurds, who are considered to be a founding elements of Turkey, to have the right to education in their mother tongue.”

Kurdish must be a language of education

Atabay said: “A constitutional guarantee is needed. Kurdish language should be guaranteed by the constitution and the obstacles in front of it should be removed. Kurdish should be a language of education.”

Improve a healthy development of the language

Atabay pointed out that children who grew up, lived and dreamed in their mother tongue were educated in a different language and explained the effects of this situation as follows: “This causes a great loss of self-confidence in children and causes serious failures. It is serious trauma for children. They suffer from psychological distress and adaptation to social life. Besides Turkish, every person should have the right to receive education in their mother tongue. We clearly see that children educated in their mother tongue are more successful in every sense.”

Assimilation continues

Pointing out that the Kurdish language is subject to assimilation policies as a result of the argument of one state, one nation, one language implemented in Turkey, Atabay added: “For years, this pressure has been increasing. At this point, we have suggestions to both families and organizations working in this field. Our families should definitely protect their language. They must speak their mother tongue at home. As to the organizations, they should share their work and take effective steps.”