Western Thrace Turkish Federation criticizes Greek Education Minister over minority education issues
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has criticized recent remarks by Greek Education Minister Sofia Zaharaki, accusing the government of overlooking longstanding educational problems faced by the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
Zaharaki made the comments during the OECD Skills Summit 2026 held in Istanbul on April 27–28, where she presented Greece’s education reform and skills development strategy.
During her speech, the minister highlighted priorities including lifelong learning, strengthening basic skills, integrating artificial intelligence and digital competencies into school curricula, and expanding vocational training and adult education policies.
She also emphasized international cooperation, teacher training initiatives, and more effective use of European Union educational tools to support workforce development.
Patriarchate Visit During Istanbul Trip
As part of her visit to Istanbul, Zaharaki also met with Bartholomew at the Greek Patriarchate of İstanbul.
According to reports, discussions focused on new government regulations concerning clergy serving abroad and measures aimed at supporting Greek-language education.
ABTTF Raises Concerns Over Minority Schools
In response, ABTTF President Halit Habipoğlu argued that despite the government’s rhetoric on educational modernization, the structural problems affecting the Turkish minority’s education system in Western Thrace remain unresolved.
Habipoğlu stated that the minority’s educational autonomy, guaranteed under the Treaty of Lausanne, has been gradually weakened through state interventions over the years.
He further criticized Greek authorities for failing to approve bilingual Turkish-Greek minority kindergartens in Western Thrace, claiming that minority children are being deprived of access to preschool education in their mother tongue.
School Closures and Infrastructure Concerns
ABTTF also objected to the closure of Turkish minority primary schools in the region due to low student enrollment figures.
Habipoğlu additionally pointed to the longstanding demand for a new school building for the İskeçe Turkish Minority Middle and High School, stating that students continue to study in inadequate physical conditions due to the lack of new infrastructure.
The federation argued that these policies create double standards in access to formal education for the Turkish minority and amount to discrimination in the education sector.
