Western Thrace minority advisory board criticizes closure of minority schools
The Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board (BTTADK) has reacted to the continued closure of Turkish minority schools, arguing that the measures are effectively restricting the community’s right to education.
In a statement, the board said that the closure of minority schools under the justification of declining student numbers has negatively affected the educational rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. The organization emphasized that decisions concerning minority education should take into account the community’s views and existing legal frameworks.
The BTTADK argued that the reduction in the number of minority schools has created concerns over access to mother-tongue education and the preservation of the community’s educational institutions. Previous statements by minority organizations have also highlighted the decline in the number of Turkish minority primary schools in the region following successive closures and mergers.
The debate over minority schools in Western Thrace has continued for years, with minority representatives calling for the protection of bilingual education and greater consultation with local communities on decisions affecting schools.
