Strong Reaction from United Kamu-İş to the Allegations of Academic Slaughter at Hacettepe: "Meritlessness is the Cancer of the State!"

Ankara - United Public Workers Confederation has issued a harsh statement on the allegations of academic purges at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory (ADK), which have caused a great public outcry. The confederation demanded immediate clarification of allegations that the crisis, which began with the dismissal of 12 lecturers, was related to State Theaters General Director Tamer Karadağlı.

Political Allegations Behind the Academic Slaughter

In a statement released by the Confederation, it was reminded that 12 lecturers at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory were dismissed without any justification. Serious allegations that this "slaughter" took place under the pressure of Tamer Karadağlı, the General Director of State Theaters, were at the center of the statement.

According to the allegations reflected in the press and not denied for two days; Karadağlı targeted the dismissed artists in his meeting with the university rector and said, "These people work with CHP municipalities. He also calls me 'white tin'. The President appointed you, if it is considered an insult to me, it is also considered an insult to you." United Public Workers' Union emphasized that the lack of denial from Karadağlı's side regarding these allegations is remarkable.

Conservatory's Structure Turned Upside Down: Meritlessness Alert

In the statement, it was pointed out that the academic purge upset the structure of a 90-year old institution and detailed the personnel crisis. In support of 12 colleagues, 2 teaching assistants also quit their jobs, causing 70 students to miss many of their classes.

One of the most serious aspects of the crisis is the problem of merit. In the statement, it was claimed that there is only one doctoral faculty member left in the Department of Theater and that basic theater courses such as "mythology, history of world theater, Shakespeare, dramaturgy" had to be taught by a teacher with a degree in American Language and Literature, who has no background in theater. This shows that the quality of arts education is under serious threat.

"Meritlessness is the Cancer of State Institutions"

The United Public-Is Confederation reiterated their commitment to the principle of merit, which forms the basis of their union stance. The statement reacted strongly to arbitrariness and irregularities in the public sector and listed the consequences of lack of merit:

• "Non-merit is arbitrariness."

• "Competence is the cancer of state institutions."

• "Meritlessness is eating rights."

• "Incompetence is making irregularity the norm."

The confederation warned, "In an institution where there is lack of merit, one can talk about people, not a healthy functioning."

Call on Karadağlı to Resign and Demand Reparations

The last part of the statement made a very harsh call to Tamer Karadağlı, the General Director of State Theaters. Karadağlı, who was reminded that he was appointed by Presidential Decree, "if he is incapable of acting like a manager and is acting as a party commissar, he should be dismissed immediately", the statement said.

The United Public Workers Confederation has demanded that the Rectorate of Hacettepe University and the relevant ministries immediately remedy this disgrace and transparently investigate all allegations of academic slaughter. The Confederation concluded the statement by underlining that they will closely follow the issue.