Reaction from Eğitim Sen: Demolition order exists, yet 1,650 students are still in class
Eğitim Sen İzmir Branch No. 5 stated that approximately 1,650 students continue their education at Şehit Hüseyin Şimşek Middle School, which was found to be earthquake-prone and ordered to be evacuated, and called on the authorities.
İzmir- Eğitim Sen İzmir Branch No. 5 issued a written statement regarding Şehit Hüseyin Şimşek Middle School in Buca district, where 1,650 students study, which was deemed earthquake-prone and ordered to be evacuated and demolished, but education continues.
The statement noted that İzmir is located in an earthquake zone and said, "Due to the earthquake we experienced in İzmir on October 30, 2020, more than 300 schools across İzmir were damaged and demolished because they were found to be earthquake-prone. In Buca district, dozens of schools that were not earthquake-resistant were also demolished. Since 2020, inspections of schools' earthquake resistance have continued."
"No measures taken despite inspections"
The statement emphasized that in April and May 2025, a team assigned by Pamukkale University conducted examinations based on samples taken from schools in Buca to determine their earthquake resistance, and said, "The results of these inspections were reported to the Ministry of National Education.
In November 2025, the Ministry of National Education informed the İzmir Provincial Directorate of National Education about the earthquake resistance status of schools in Buca. The İzmir Provincial Directorate then notified the Buca District Directorate of National Education about the schools that were not earthquake-resistant."
The statement noted that the necessary procedures were requested to evacuate Buca Şehit Hüseyin Şimşek Middle School, formerly known as Buca Middle School, which was found not to be earthquake-resistant by Pamukkale University teams, and said, "Despite approximately 8 months since the Ministry's letter and about 6 months since the İzmir Provincial Directorate's letter, education continues at Buca Şehit Hüseyin Şimşek Middle School."
"Students' and education workers' lives are at risk"
The statement highlighted that in İzmir, where the earthquake risk is high, education activities continue at a school with about 1,650 students that was found to be earthquake-prone, and said, "The lives of students and education workers continue to be put at risk in a school that should be evacuated and demolished.
Continuing education in a school identified as earthquake-prone and ordered to be evacuated in a high-risk earthquake area clearly shows who is managing or failing to manage our schools."
The statement warned that if any student or education worker is harmed in an earthquake in İzmir, the responsibility will lie with the İzmir Provincial Director of National Education, the Buca District Director of National Education, and other education officials, and said, "Stop putting the lives of students and education workers at risk.
We demand a thorough investigation and punishment of the officials who have allowed 1,650 students to be educated in a building that has had a demolition order and evacuation request for 8 months."
