23.11.2025 22:56
In the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, teacher Metin Acıpayam, who lost 92 of his 117 students, expressed his sorrow by saying, "Every time November 24 comes, our pain is renewed. We lost 92 of our souls, 92 futures of this country." Acıpayam mentioned that while visiting the cemeteries, he still has 24 students who are missing.
Teacher Metin Acıpayam, who lives in Kahramanmaraş, visited the cemetery of 97 students who lost their lives in the earthquakes on February 6. Acıpayam stated that they experienced the greatest pain during the earthquake together with the children and expressed that their hearts are heavy on November 24, Teachers' Day.
AFTER PARENTS, TEACHERS EXPERIENCED THIS PAIN THE MOST
Teacher Acıpayam said, "A child means the future of a country. We lost 92 futures. Every November 24, every February 6, we visit their graves. We try to keep their memories alive. We are preparing to exhibit the notebooks, pens, and books left from the rubble in a small museum. After parents, teachers experienced this pain the most. Because teachers are second in children's lives. We celebrate our Teachers' Day with sorrow," he expressed.
"MY STUDENT WHO WROTE A POEM ABOUT DEATH TASTED DEATH"
Acıpayam recounted the story of a student who wanted to write a poem about death shortly before the earthquake, saying, "That child wrote a very beautiful poem. I had shown him our literature's poet of death, Cahit Sıtkı, as an example. February 6 showed that child not only wrote poetry but also tasted death firsthand. Another student texted me during the earthquake, 'Teacher, are you okay?' It was very valuable. We rescued him from the rubble, but he lost his leg. He passed away about 15 days later," he said.
"BEING BURIED IN A CEMETERY WITH A NAME WAS EVEN A SOURCE OF HAPPINESS"
Emphasizing that they fought for many children who lost their families and were at risk of being buried in a cemetery for the unclaimed, the teacher said, "We worked to find out who these children's parents were and to obtain their records. Even being buried in a cemetery with a name made us happy. There are 24 missing children who are not reflected in official records. Neither we could find them nor did they appear in state records. We are still fighting for their struggle," he concluded.