MP Zeybek: "New Democracy Party targets Minority Schools in an authoritarian manner"
Hüseyin Zeybek, a member of parliament from the New Left Party representing Xanthi, has criticized the New Democracy Party for what he describes as an authoritarian approach towards minority schools. He accused the government of disregarding both the schools and their elected committees.
Zeybek specifically targeted the Ministry of Education's proposed "Onassis Schools" bill, arguing that it aims to dismantle public education and promote privatization. He warned that the proposed changes to the status of Xanthi’s 1st Middle School and 2nd High School would create severe inequalities among students and teachers.
According to Zeybek, the government plans to establish 22 Onassis Schools across Greece, including in Xanthi, in collaboration with the Onassis Foundation. These schools will have strict entrance exams and interviews, a system that he claims fosters exclusivity and commercialization in education. He also noted that while Onassis Schools will have a cap of 25 students per class, other public schools are being forced to merge classes, leading to overcrowding.
The MP emphasized the state’s constitutional duty to provide free education and accused the government of turning public education into a profit-driven system. He pointed out that even before the bill’s approval, major tutoring centers had already begun offering preparation courses for Onassis Schools, further deepening educational inequality.
Concerns Over Educational Issues in Xanthi
Zeybek also raised concerns over ongoing education issues in Xanthi, highlighting that:
Despite protests from educators and parents, the 18th and 9th primary schools are being merged, effectively shutting one down.
Students of Xanthi’s Music School recently protested due to severe building deficiencies.
Samothraki High School lacks a mathematics teacher, while
Schools in Didymoteicho have been forced to close due to heating problems.
Furthermore, Zeybek addressed the long-standing infrastructure problems at Xanthi Minority Middle School-High School. He stated that after submitting a parliamentary inquiry on the issue, he was met with a verbal attack from the Deputy Minister of Education.
Although regional authorities have promised to begin maintenance and modernization efforts, Zeybek argued that these statements are misleading. Since the building is classified as a historical monument, any intervention is legally restricted, leaving new school construction as the only viable solution.
Allegations of Interference in Minority Schools
Zeybek also accused the Ministry of blocking minority school committees from making decisions, a move he described as a threat to democratic governance in education. He stressed that these elected committees, which serve three-year terms, are legally recognized as decision-makers in minority schools.
"This authoritarian intervention is unacceptable and must end immediately," he declared.
Zeybek reaffirmed the New Left Party’s opposition to the commercialization of education, rejecting an approach that treats students as customers rather than individuals with equal educational rights. He concluded by calling for a unified public education system that provides equal opportunities for all children.
