The Osman Nejat Konuk Middle School in Girne was opened today with a ceremony attended by state and government officials.

Middle school students enrolled at the Anafartalar High School have been transferred to the new school to ease crowding.

The school named after the first Prime Minister of the Turkish Cypriot Federated State Osman Nejat Konuk was inaugurated by President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Ersan Saner and National Education and Culture Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Amcaoğlu provided information on ongoing projects to open new schools built through private-public initiatives.

He said that the education ministry was working hard to ensure that face-to-face and in-class education continued at schools this semester.

Prime Minister Ersan Saner in his speech pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted health and education the most.

He said despite the advancements in technology, nothing could replace in-class learning and face-to-face teaching.

Saner also congratulated the Ministry of National Education and Culture for naming the school after the late Prime Minister whom he said was an important figure for Turkish Cypriot history.

Wishing the students and teachers a successful semester, Prime Minister Saner called on teachers to encourage families and students to get vaccinated.

Delivering the final speech at the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar said he was pleased to see new schools being opened despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The duty that falls upon us is to exercise leadership and teach leadership. Our duty is to raise young generations who love their country, who display good character and are successful,” he said.

Also touching upon the Cyprus Issue, President Ersin Tatar said that he and his delegation will be flying to New York on the weekend for meetings within the framework of the UN General Assembly.

“We will once again tell everyone in New York that there are two sovereign peoples in Cyprus, he said, adding that a two-state solution was the only feasible option on the island.

The international community needs to understand this. We need to persuade the international community as this is in the best interest of our people. It will be our duty to explain and convey this to our interlocutors,” he said.

Following the speeches, plaques of appreciation were handed to those who contributed to the construction of the school.

The ceremony came to an end with the cutting of the ribbon, a tour of the classrooms and the planting of trees in the school yard.