Turkish Education Ministry orders Fener Greek High School to vacate building within 90 days
The Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) has issued an official notice ordering the historic Fener Greek Orthodox High School in Istanbul’s Balat district to vacate its premises within 90 days, citing earthquake safety concerns.
Official Evacuation Notice
According to reports in Turkish media, the ministry’s letter stated that the current building is structurally vulnerable to earthquakes and will undergo reinforcement and restoration work.
School Administration Seeks New Premises
Principal Dimitris Zotos said that the school received no prior notification and that the directive has placed them in a difficult situation. He explained that the institution lacks the financial resources to fund the reinforcement, prompting the administration to engage with both the Ministry of Education and the Istanbul Governor’s Office in search of a solution.
“Our priority is not to disrupt students’ education. We’ve been asked to relocate within 90 days,” Zotos said, adding that the Fener Greek School Foundation does not have sufficient funds for the required works. He noted that the issue is well known within the community, and efforts are underway to find an alternative facility.
A Historic Institution with Few Students
The Fener Greek High School, one of the oldest minority schools in Istanbul, did not accept new middle school enrollments this year. Following media attention from Agos, one new student registered, bringing the total to 31 students.
Zotos emphasized that many Greek schools in Türkiye have been forced to close over the years due to declining enrollment linked to the shrinking Greek Orthodox population.
“We must look for a solution within our own community,” he said. “If that fails, we’ll explore every possible option.” He also stressed that the school does not wish to move to a facility with inadequate conditions, insisting that it must continue operating under the same name and identity.
Broader Context: Minority Education in Focus
The issue emerges amid renewed discussions about minority education in Turkey and Greece. During President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the White House on September 25, the reopening of the Halki Theological School was reportedly discussed, highlighting the sensitive nature of minority education in Türkiye.
While Turkey’s actions regarding Greek minority schools are being closely watched, Greece’s own handling of Turkish minority schools in Western Thrace has also drawn criticism.
The Greek Ministry of Education has been accused of neglecting maintenance and administrative issues at the İskeçe Minority Middle and High School, with General Secretary for Education and Religious Affairs Yorgos Kalancis allegedly ordering that members of the school’s committee be barred from entering their own building.
Double Standards in Minority Education
These developments underscore the contrasting policies and persistent double standards in how both countries handle their respective minority education systems—illustrating how political sensitivities continue to shape the fate of minority schools in Istanbul and Western Thrace alike.
