SÖPA Graduate Teachers Association against the closure of schools

The Board of Directors of the Association of Teachers Graduated from the Special Pedagogical Academy of Thessaloniki (SÖPA) in the Rhodope-Merich Provinces made a statement regarding the closure of 9 minority primary schools.

Stating that it is deeply concerned about the closure of 9 more minority primary schools by the Ministry of Education on the grounds of "lack of students" and that it regrets the decision taken, the association's board of directors made the following statement on the closure decision;

WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED AND SADDENED BY THE SUSPENSION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF 9 MORE MINORITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR OPPOSITION TO THEIR SUSPENSION IN THIS WAY

We reiterate our objections and reservations for the following reasons.

The closure or suspension of schools does not provide any significant benefit to students, other than a reduction in staff. Closing or merging schools is not a solution to educational problems and students should continue their education in schools closer to their centres. They should not continue to travel by difficult and costly transport.

1- Of course, our desire and goal is to create environments that will enable our children to receive better and higher quality education. By making the merged schools with 3 classes, it can be foreseen that English and physical education will be taught by expert staff and the education programme will be upgraded.

2- Any form of transportation of students could have been a product of dialogue with parents and the council committee. It could have reduced the tension and tensions brought about by the suspension decision.

We hope that the (MINISTRY OF EDUCATION) will understand and adopt our proposals for the smooth operation of the minority schools and the normalisation of relations in the educational community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS