Teacher Sent on Exile Because of Kurdish Poem

Oktay Eriman, an elementary school teacher in the Batman Zubeyde Hanim School, was exiled to a village school when he had his students learn a Kurdish poem for the "reading day."

The parents of some students realized their children were trying to memorize a Kurdish poem and complained to the school. Teacher Eriman was then temporarily sent to the elementary school in the Yemisli village.

Parents gathered in front of the school

Some parents gathered in front of the school to protest against Eriman's exile and called on the school to bring the teacher back. Another teacher was brought to the Zubeyde Hanim Elementary School in Batman to replace Eriman.

The teacher defended himself

"I had listened to this song in a CD. I liked it," said Eriman.

"There constantly are Kurdish songs on the television. I thought it would add color to the reading day if children read this poem. Then I decided not to. I am just upset that I was assigned to another school before being able to give report cards to my students."

The Kurdish poem, which caused the teacher to be sent on exile, is about the children of the world calling for peace and freedom. (EO/BB/EA/YE)