23.04.2026 15:01
Children who took their seats in governor's offices in Şırnak and Tokat for April 23 expressed that their biggest demand was 'safe schools' following recent school attacks. Asya Beren Akan, a sixth-grade student who sat in the Şırnak Governor's seat, burst into tears after saying, 'Schools need to be made safer.'
The traditional handover ceremonies held on April 23, National Sovereignty and Children's Day, were carried out across Turkey. On the 106th anniversary of the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gifted to children, governors handed over their seats to children for a day. The children who took over the governors' seats in Şırnak and Tokat, Asya Beren Akan and Esma Selvi Yıldız, had only one request following a recent school attack that killed 8 students.
LITTLE ASYA BURST INTO TEARS
Sixth-grade student Asya Beren Akan, who sat in the Şırnak Governor's seat, could not hold back her tears when she mentioned the school attacks in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa.
Little Asya said through tears, "Today is April 23. It is a very special day gifted to children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. All children deserve to live safely. In addition to safe living, having fun is also their natural right. Reforestation needs to be increased, playgrounds need to be expanded, and schools need to be made safer."
"I WANT SAFE SCHOOLS FIRST OF ALL"
Fourth-grade student Esma Selvi Yıldız, who sat in the Tokat Governor's seat, stated that she is afraid while going to school and requested increased security measures in schools, saying the following:
"First of all, I want a safe city and safe schools. I want those in need to be identified and their needs to be met."