Council responds to claims, clarifies position on school building issue

The Iskece Minority Middle and High School Council, in collaboration with the School Family Union, issued a response to the East Macedonia-Thrace State Education Directorate regarding ongoing concerns about the school's building conditions. The Directorate's statement, which held the Council solely responsible for the building's deteriorating state, was met with clarification and rebuttals.

In their response, the Council welcomed the official acknowledgment of the issue, describing it as a positive step forward in their long-standing efforts, supported by minority institutions, political representatives, and the local press. However, they strongly disagreed with claims suggesting that the Council had neglected necessary repairs and maintenance since taking over the management of the school in 2018.

The Council emphasized that their primary demand is not simply aesthetic improvements to the existing building but the construction of a new school. They reiterated that while any interim improvements to the current structure would be welcomed, the focus must remain on securing funding and support for a new educational facility. They also clarified that the funds provided by Iskece Municipality were insufficient for comprehensive repairs and that the 20,000 euros mentioned by the Directorate had not been allocated to them in 2024.

Furthermore, the Council addressed the technical limitations imposed by the building's "protected status," which had prevented certain upgrades and repairs, though ongoing efforts to maintain the building's usability had been made despite financial constraints.

The statement concluded with a call for further collaboration with the state authorities to resolve the issue, emphasizing the Council's commitment to ensuring that students receive the quality education they deserve in a modern, purpose-built school.