Another coup to Western Thrace Turkish Minority education by Greece
In a significant move, school principals in minority high schools in İskeçe (Xanthi) and Gümülcine (Komotini) have been replaced unilaterally by the authorities. This decision marks a departure from long-standing procedures, where the input of school councils (Encümen Heyetleri) was traditionally considered.
The decision was made by the Secondary Education Directorates of İskeçe and Rodop, in conjunction with the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Regional Education Directorate, without consulting the school councils. For the first time in years, this action was taken unilaterally.
Both İskeçe Minority High School and Gümülcine Celal Bayar Minority High School’s councils issued a joint statement expressing their concern. The statement noted that, in previous years, any changes regarding school principals were made in consultation with the school councils. However, this year, the councils' requests to extend the tenure of the current principals were returned, with the explanation that principal appointments were beyond the councils' authority.
On September 2, 2024, a letter from the Regional Education Directorate informed both schools that new principals had been appointed. The school councils' input was disregarded, and no explanation was provided for the changes. The councils described this action as arbitrary.
In their joint statement, the school councils stressed that this intervention violates international and bilateral agreements, as well as international law, and warned that such interference in the functioning of minority schools could lead to new problems.
The statement concluded by asserting, "Our involvement in the decisions regarding our schools is being restricted. This move to exclude the councils, which represent the voice of hundreds of minority students’ parents, is not only a breach of established customs but also a violation of our rights." The councils vowed to continue their struggle for democratic participation and urged the authorities to respect their role in the schools.
