MP Ferhat addressed the problems of minority education in the parliament
New Left Party Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat addressed the problems of minority education in his speech in the parliament and touched upon the closed minority schools. The Greek Parliament discussed the draft law on "Digital education in secondary education, digital classrooms and supporting the education system in rural areas" on Friday 26 July.
One of those who took the floor and made a speech on the subject was New Left Party Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat. In his speech, Ferhat explained the problems that have been chronic for years and that could not be solved in any way and that have brought the minority education to the point of ending and offered solutions to the current NDP government.
Emphasizing that minority issues have never been a single party issue, Ferhat called on the government as well as the democratic and progressive opposition parties to find solutions to the problems of our minority. Emphasizing that minority education has been systematically discredited, MP Ferhat stated that the minority schools closed in recent years have not been reopened. "A low quality minority education deprives our children of the right to a modern, high quality education that will meet the requirements of the age."
"OUR MINORITY SCHOOLS ARE ACTING WITH INADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL STAFF"
Stating that minority education is one of the most neglected areas within the general education system, Ferhat said, "Despite all the promises made, no steps have been taken to improve the quality of education in minority schools both in the previous and this period of your government. Our minority schools are operating without adequate equipment and without adequate teaching staff." Pointing out that the infrastructure and physical conditions in minority schools are also extremely inadequate, Ferhat reminded that the model of bilingual kindergartens was canceled by the YDP government. Ferhat noted the following in his speech:
"THE GREEK STATE IS OBLIGED TO PROTECT THE STATUS OF MINORITY SCHOOLS"
"Minority education is facing extinction due to your insensitivity. Out of hundreds of minority primary schools, only 86 will be able to operate next year. Your response to this is 'we apply the same rules everywhere'. Our answer is that the Greek state is obliged to protect the current status of the minority schools. This is a matter of democracy. For this reason, I call on the government and especially all political parties in the democratic spectrum to express their opinion on this issue and help in this direction. Because in a region where the necessary steps have not been taken in terms of economic development, infrastructure, health services and where the people have not migrated, now our schools are being closed in 2024 and we are left without schools."
"YOU DID NOT TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING OF THE MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL OF XANTHI"
Referring to the building problem in the Minority Secondary School and High School of Xanthi, Ferhat said, "On the one hand, you closed the schools with the excuse of lack of students, on the other hand, you did not take the necessary steps for the Minority Secondary School High School of Xanthi, which has a high number of students, to have a new school building.
"Ferhat pointed out that the decisions to be taken to strengthen minority education and not to close schools with an increasing number of students will be perceived by all progressive and democratic forces in the region as respect for diversity, as well as respect for minority and human rights and this will have a positive impact in the region. Finally, Ferhat added that what he said should be perceived as a call, not as a complaint.
