Psychologist and educator Şiyar Güldiken made evaluations regarding the school attacks in Sêwereg and Mereş. Güldiken said that what happened is not just an issue concerning children, and that social and educational conditions must be considered together.
Following the student attacks in Sêwereg and Mereş, the education system and social conditions have once again become a topic of debate. Güldiken emphasized that these incidents should not be evaluated only from a security perspective but together with the social and educational environment in which children grow up. He recalled Rakel Dink’s words: “As long as we do not question the system that turns a child into a murderer, we will continue to face these problems,” drawing attention to the current situation.
Güldiken stressed that the attacks in Sêwereg and Mereş should not be treated solely as an issue concerning children. “What happened is a result. On the other side of the coin there are different debates. When those in power want to implement a change or transformation, they try to create the social groundwork for it. They often do this through discussions of fear and security. As seen in the incident in Sêwereg, it is said that the child had previously made some posts on social media. It is reported that the school administration informed the relevant authorities, but the process was not taken seriously. This may appear to be a single case, but the issue is not limited to this,” he said.
Referring to the social impact of violence, Güldiken stated: “From the perspective of children and young people, carrying out such an act requires crossing a certain threshold. Once this threshold is crossed, the likelihood of similar incidents increases. Indeed, first Sêwereg, then Mereş, and similar incidents occurred in different cities. Around the same time, a person opened fire with a long-barreled weapon in broad daylight in Diyarbakır. This is not a coincidence.”
Güldiken noted that the visibility of violence has increased through media and technology. “Violence appears more frequently in television series, films, and computer games. Peer bullying in schools is also an important issue. In addition, watching war images live on television reduces society’s sensitivity to violence. This shows that violence is gradually becoming normalized,” he said.
Güldiken also referred to the structure of the education system: “Education has increasingly become based on memorization. Skills such as thinking and questioning are weakening. Children grow up under intense exam pressure. The education system is insufficient in connecting with everyday life. This negatively affects children’s development.”
Emphasizing the importance of education in one’s mother tongue, Güldiken said: “When a child receives education in their mother tongue, they experience a healthier learning process. Limited opportunities for mother-tongue education can lead to various problems for children. This can also lead to disengagement from education.”
Pointing to the need for change in the education system, Güldiken stated: “Changes in education should not be limited only to security measures. It is important to reconsider the curriculum and organize it in a way that supports children’s social and emotional development. Topics related to ethics, nature, and social life should have a greater place in education.”
Güldiken stressed that the incidents should not be treated as isolated individual cases but should be considered within a broader framework, emphasizing the importance of improving the social and educational conditions in which children grow up.
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