Greece to Close 4 Turkish Schools Due to 'Lack of Students'
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Loading... - Maria Bost
- 22 Jul 2024
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Greece has announced the closure of four Turkish minority primary schools in Western Thrace, a region with a significant Turkish population. The affected schools are the Hacioren, Keziren, and Payamlar primary schools in Rhodope, and the Karakoy primary school in Xanthi (Iskece) in northern Greece.
Greek authorities claim that the closures are due to a "lack of students," describing the move as a suspension rather than a permanent shutdown. However, the Turkish minority community views this explanation with skepticism.
Local leaders and representatives of the Turkish minority argue that the closures are part of a systematic effort to reduce the number of minority schools, thereby pushing students into Greek public schools. They have criticized the government for not consulting with the affected communities before making such decisions.
If the closures proceed, the number of minority schools in Western Thrace will have dropped from 307 in 1926 to just 86. This trend has raised concerns among the Turkish minority about the erosion of their educational institutions and cultural identity.
Türkiye has condemned similar closures in the past, including in 2022 when Greece shut down four other Turkish minority schools. Türkiye argued that these actions violated the Lausanne Peace Treaty of 1923, which established rights and protections for the Turkish-Muslim minority in Greece.
Western Thrace is home to approximately 150,000 Muslim Turks. The community has faced ongoing issues regarding their rights to religious leadership, association, and education, often in defiance of European court orders. The recent school closures are seen as part of these broader violations of minority rights.
The closure of the four Turkish minority primary schools in Western Thrace has sparked controversy and criticism from the Turkish minority community. As the debate continues, the future of minority education in the region remains uncertain, highlighting ongoing tensions and challenges in the protection of minority rights in Greece.
