BTTÖB President Aydın Ahmet comments on closure of Turkish Minority Primary Schools

Ahmet highlighted that the Greek government continues its policy of closing minority schools by citing the reduction of student numbers to below nine each year. He stated, "This year, four more schools will remain closed. The primary schools in Hacıören, Keziren, Payamlar in Rodopi province, and Karaköy in Xanthi will not reopen for the 2024-2025 academic year."

He noted that these decisions have reduced the number of Turkish primary schools from 231 in 1995 to 86 today, leading to a significant decline in the number of minority schools.

Ahmet criticized the Greek state for making educational decisions affecting the minority community without consulting their views and mentioned that promises to reopen closed schools if student numbers exceed nine within two years have not been honored.

GREECE DENIES PERMISSION FOR BILINGUAL PRESCHOOLS

Ahmet also pointed out issues such as the inability of Turkish teachers from universities in Turkey to work in minority schools and the lack of bilingual minority preschools in Greece, where preschool education is mandatory. He stated:

"For a child’s self-confidence to develop, it is essential to receive education in their native language. It is not possible for a child to develop self-confidence in a place where their native language is not used in state preschools. As a teacher who has provided bilingual education in Vienna’s state schools, I assert that children always develop greater self-confidence in schools where their native language is used, and they receive a more effective education in this self-confidence. I do not believe that a healthy education can be achieved in an environment where their identity is disregarded."

Ahmet added that the demands of the Turkish minority for bilingual preschools have been ignored so far, and propaganda in state preschools has been spreading the idea that minority primary schools are of poor quality and insufficient.

Photo: Anadolu Agency