Greece’s Regional Education Directorate responds to Xanthi Minority High School Committee after eight days

Western Thrace
Tue, 4 Feb 2025 9:31 GMT
The Regional Education Directorate has finally responded to the Xanthi Minority High School Committee’s statement, eight days after the committee raised concerns regarding the school’s maintenance, funding, and infrastructure issues.
Greece’s Regional Education Directorate responds to Xanthi Minority High School Committee after eight days

The Regional Education Directorate has finally responded to the Xanthi Minority High School Committee’s statement, eight days after the committee raised concerns regarding the school’s maintenance, funding, and infrastructure issues. The Directorate’s response primarily focused on defending its position while avoiding any direct acknowledgment of the school’s demand for a new building.

Delayed Response Raises Concerns
The Minority School Committee previously accused Greek authorities of neglecting the institution’s needs, particularly regarding the deterioration of the existing school building. The committee highlighted repeated appeals for improved infrastructure, arguing that the state has failed to fulfill its obligations to the minority educational institutions.

School Maintenance Responsibility Dispute
In its statement, the Regional Education Directorate refuted the claims of negligence, stating that the responsibility for maintenance falls on the school itself, not on the government. However, the committee maintains that financial limitations make it impossible for the school to handle major structural repairs independently. This dispute over accountability has fueled further debate on the state's role in supporting minority education in Greece.

Financial Support and Funding Breakdown
The Directorate detailed the financial aid provided to the school, emphasizing that adequate funding has been allocated for operational expenses. However, the committee argues that these funds are insufficient to cover extensive renovations or the construction of new facilities. The discrepancy between the provided financial support and the school’s actual needs remains a key point of contention.

Omission of New School Building Demands
One of the most critical aspects of the Minority School Committee’s statement was the call for a new school building, which was notably absent from the Directorate’s response. This omission has led to speculation that the Greek government is unwilling to approve new infrastructure projects for minority institutions, raising concerns about potential discrimination.

Comparisons with Istanbul’s Greek Minority Schools
The situation has also drawn comparisons with the treatment of Greek minority schools in Istanbul, where similar challenges exist. However, minority rights advocates argue that Greece, as an EU member state, has a greater obligation to uphold educational rights and support minority institutions without bureaucratic delays or selective responses.

Implications for Minority Education in Greece
The ongoing dispute highlights broader concerns about minority education policies in Greece. The lack of clear commitments to infrastructure improvements could impact the quality of education for students attending minority schools, potentially leading to further tensions between the Turkish minority and Greek authorities.

As the debate continues, educators, students, and minority rights organizations are calling for a more transparent and proactive approach from the Greek government. The question remains: will the authorities take tangible steps to address the legitimate concerns of the Xanthi Minority High School Committee, or will the issue persist without resolution?

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