Hüseyin Zeybek: "I invite the Deputy Minister of Education to see the issues at the İskeçe Minority Secondary School and High School firsthand"
İskeçe MP Hüseyin Zeybek has invited the Deputy Minister of Education to visit the İskeçe Minority Secondary School and High School to witness the ongoing issues there. Zeybek, who represents the New Left Party, called out the Deputy Minister for providing evasive answers to the "Minority High School" issue and urged her to see the problems in person.
Zeybek submitted a verbal inquiry regarding the infrastructure shortcomings and unequal conditions at the İskeçe Minority Secondary School and High School. He stressed that the educational process cannot be conducted under humane and contemporary conditions, and pointed out the violations of basic rights faced by both students and educators.
He highlighted the following issues:
The school’s classrooms are overcrowded.
There is no playground.
Until recently, the school operated on a double-shift system.
These problems, Zeybek said, are the most tangible examples of the tragic situation.
Zeybek condemned the response given by Deputy Minister Makri, calling it a political scandal. Makri had claimed, "There is no need for a new school, the current classrooms fully meet the students’ needs," ignoring the fundamental issues of the education system and exposing the government’s indifference toward the matter.
In response, Zeybek expressed strong criticism, stating, "You are completely uninformed about the school. The situation is tragic, and any future negative consequences will be your responsibility." He accused the government of evading political accountability.
Zeybek stressed that, despite temporary measures taken during the previous government (such as adding four new classrooms in a separate building), only a modern and new school building could provide a permanent solution. However, acknowledging that building a new school could take time, Zeybek suggested using another public building owned by the State, located on the same street, as a temporary solution. The Ministry, however, has ignored all of his concrete proposals and avoided taking responsibility, engaging in jurisdictional confusion instead.
"The Deputy Minister is in a huge contradiction. On one hand, she says building a new school is not our responsibility, while on the other, she claims the school is sufficient and there is no need for a new building. Not only that, but she even reminds the Council of its duties, shifting responsibility to others. She tries to present the allocated funds for all schools as a special favor to the Minority Secondary School and High School, even arrogantly stating that no rent has been paid for the State-owned building for years, attempting to present the school as indebted." Zeybek emphasized that this was the true face of the New Democracy Government, with statements by Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Minister Bakoyanis during the election period and now, through Zeta Makri, showing how the government views the Minority and how it should be treated.
Despite the challenges, Zeybek reaffirmed his commitment to the right of children to receive education in a healthy environment. "Even if many sectors are uncomfortable, I will continue to speak out on behalf of this right, undeterred by any pressure, and I will demand this solution persistently, according to the values we believe in."
He concluded by stating, "I will not remain silent in the face of this situation. The right to education cannot be a political game. Students and teachers have the constitutional right to education under healthy, equal, and modern conditions, and we will never allow this right to be denied. We call on the government to stop procrastinating and avoiding political responsibility, and to find an immediate solution. Defending the right to education is not just a political duty, but a social obligation!"
