Coup: Purge widens to education sector

More than 15,000 education staff in Turkey have been suspended after last week’s failed coup, as a purge of state officials widens still further. The ministry of education accused them of links to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric the Turkish government says was behind Friday’s uprising. Mr Gulen denies any involvement. More than 1,500 university […]

More than 15,000 education staff in Turkey have been suspended after last week’s failed coup, as a purge of state officials widens still further.
The ministry of education accused them of links to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric the Turkish government says was behind Friday’s uprising.
Mr Gulen denies any involvement.
More than 1,500 university deans have also been ordered to resign and the licences of 21,000 teachers working at private institutions revoked.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim vowed to take action against Mr Gulen’s supporters.
"I’m sorry but this parallel terrorist organisation will no longer be an effective pawn for any country," Mr Yildirim said, according to Reuters news agency.
"We will dig them up by their roots so that no clandestine terrorist organisation will have the nerve to betray our blessed people again."