ABTTF says Turkish minority school closures are weakening education system
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has criticised the suspension of a Turkish Minority primary school in Beyköy, in the İskeçe (Xanthi) area, arguing that the decision raises concerns about the future of the Turkish Minority education system in Western Thrace.
In a statement issued at the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year, ABTTF addressed what it described as ongoing problems affecting the education of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
Two schools in Beyköy, different decisions
According to ABTTF, the Greek Ministry of Education decided in July 2026 to suspend the operation of the Beyköy Turkish Minority Primary School for the new academic year on the grounds of insufficient student numbers.
The federation contrasted this decision with developments at the state primary school in the same village. According to information cited by ABTTF from İskeçe Primary Education Directorate Director Evmorfia (Evi) Stylianidou, the state school’s staffing was increased from three to four teachers after its student population exceeded 50.
ABTTF said the contrasting developments at the two schools were concerning for the Turkish Minority’s education system.
Habipoğlu: “The picture is concerning”
ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu said the developments in Beyköy should be assessed in the context of Greece’s broader policies concerning Turkish Minority education.
Habipoğlu argued that while Turkish Minority schools are being suspended because of insufficient student numbers, the expansion of the state school in the same area creates a situation that warrants attention.
He also referred to what ABTTF described as difficulties encountered by some families seeking to enrol their children in Turkish Minority schools.
“The issue is no longer simply the closure of individual schools, but the gradual weakening of the Turkish Minority’s education system in Western Thrace,” Habipoğlu said, according to the federation.
ABTTF argued that the suspension of Turkish Minority schools on student-number grounds could weaken what it describes as the community’s special and autonomous status in education.
Number of Turkish Minority primary schools falls to 76
ABTTF said that eight additional Turkish Minority primary schools had their operations suspended in July 2026, bringing the number of Turkish Minority primary schools operating in Western Thrace to 76.
The federation argued that continued school closures could have significant long-term consequences for the sustainability of the Turkish Minority education system.
Enrolment dispute at İskeçe 1st Turkish Minority Primary School
ABTTF also addressed an enrolment dispute involving the İskeçe 1st Turkish Minority Primary School ahead of the new academic year.
According to the federation, the İskeçe Primary Education Directorate confirmed that seven students had not been enrolled. Authorities reportedly cited the students’ residence outside the school’s designated enrolment area, as well as allegations of irregularities concerning some residential information.
Habipoğlu argued that such practices further weaken the educational autonomy of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
ABTTF called attention to the developments as the new school year begins, framing the suspension of Turkish Minority schools and the reported enrolment difficulties as part of wider concerns about the future of minority education in the region.
