Zeybek submits parliamentary question on school principal appointments

In his question, addressed to the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Zeybek issued a statement that reads:

"The government is attempting to divide and punish the local community with authoritarianism on minority education and issues."

"As the new academic year begins, the problems in the education sector in the İskeçe region are increasing, for which the sole responsibility lies with the ruling New Democracy (ND) government. These issues include school closures, class mergers, and the long-neglected building problem of the İskeçe Minority Secondary School-High School. The recent decision to appoint a new principal and vice-principal at the İskeçe Minority Secondary School-High School is aimed at punishing the minority community and the educational sector."

He further elaborated that in 2013, under the PASOK-ND coalition government, the then Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Mr. Arvanitopoulos, introduced legislation to limit the responsibilities and authority of the School Committee, exacerbating tensions within the community.

Referring to Law 4563 passed in 2018 by the left-wing government, Zeybek emphasized that this law significantly improved the functioning of the school, aligning the İskeçe Minority Secondary School with the Celal Bayar High School in Gümülcine and other minority primary schools, ensuring the election of the School Committee.

Zeybek raised two key questions to the responsible Minister:

What are the reasons behind the government's sudden decision to change the principal and vice-principal at the İskeçe Minority Secondary School-High School, stripping the school of its right to elect its own leadership and ignoring the School Committee?

Does this decision reflect the government's intention to invest in authoritarianism, division, and the undermining of minority schools by altering their status and disregarding the School Committee, thereby devaluing and restricting its powers?

This parliamentary question highlights the ongoing concerns within the minority community about the government's handling of educational issues in Western Thrace.