Curriculum backlash: Students barred from high school graduation due to “inappropriate attire”
The military police were deployed
Ahead of the graduation ceremony this evening, some female students were not allowed to enter the ceremony because they were wearing clothing that violated school regulations. Although the doors were closed to students, some parents and students rebelled against the school’s response. An argument broke out between parents and school administrators. Military police were dispatched to the school following reports of tensions.
“Unfortunately, because it’s open, students are not allowed in.”
One parent said, “Unfortunately, the school is open and students are not allowed to enter,” while another parent said, “My children can make the most of their equal rights. But if it’s Imam Hatip School, there is a dress code, and if they don’t wear a headscarf, or something open, of course they can’t enter like that, but if it’s a normal school, a science high school, or an Anatolian high school, it’s not a big deal, the children can wear what they want, it’s the right thing to do. Why are they making their children wait like this when their parents are with them?” He said. One student showed the clothes he was wearing and said, “I wasn’t accepted because of this outfit.”
After reporting the incident, Gebze District Head of National Education, Şener Doğan, visited the school and after speaking with parents and students, all students were allowed to enter and attend the graduation ceremony.
“It adds another layer of meaningless discussion and practice to the debate over women’s clothing.”
The Echtim Ish Union Kocaeli Branch No. 2 responded to the incident in a written statement, which included the following statement:
Today, it was shared by parents on social media that at the graduation ceremony of Gebze Alattin Kurt Anatolian High School, female students were not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony because of their attire. As a union, the school administration, under the pretext of female students participating in the protocol, asked the school to check the students’ attire a few days in advance, and those whose attire was approved were asked to participate in the program. It was said that they would be included. Students whose attire the school deemed inappropriate were not allowed to participate in today’s program and were made to wait in front of the school gates. This practice is unbecoming of a secular Turkish Republic celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic. Such a practice, reminiscent of the February 28 process or even more so, is not conducive to social peace in the country and adds a new argument to the meaningless debates and practices that have been taking place for many years over women’s clothing. We demand that this incident be followed up and that the necessary investigations be launched without delay against those responsible. “We announce to the public that we will follow this process with determination.”
