Demonstration against the closure of Turkish minority schools in Western Thrace

Halit Habip Oğlu: “We demand an immediate repeal of the decision that foresees the closure of minority schools that have special statutes, violating the right of education of the kids belonging to Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.”

Following the decision of the Head of Education at Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region of Greece Panayotis Keramaris of closing down 9 more Turkish minority schools in Western Thrace, a demonstration took place to protest the decision and to demand its repeal. According to the daily Gündem, the demonstration organised by Thessaloniki Private Pedagogy Institute (SÖPA) Graduate Teacher’s Association and Xanthi SÖPA Graduate Teacher’s Association in Rhodope-Evros region took place on 28 September 2016 in Komotini in front of the building of Education Directorate of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region. The representatives of Turkish minority associations, minority mayors and a large number of teachers and parents took part in the protest, which was equally supported by Confederation of Civil Servant Trade Unions (ADEDI) Komotini Branch Chair Yorgos Triandafilopulos, President of Rhodope Primary Teachers Association Yota Venetopulu and Antarsia (Greek Anticapitalistic Left Front) Party members.

During the demonstration, a manifesto addressed to the Head of Education at Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region of Greece Panayotis Keramaris was read out by the President of SÖPA Graduate Teacher’s Association in Rhodope-Evros region Salih Ahmet while different banners demanding the repeal of the decision of closure of minority schools as well as improvement in the minority education were carried. Following the press release, a delegation composed of chairs and board members of teacher’s associations, representatives of supporting institutions and minority mayors met with Regional Head of Education Panayotis Keramaris and repeated their demand to repeal the decision of closing down minority schools. 2 representatives from SÖPA Graduate Teacher’s Association of Xanthi Nurettin Kıyıcı and of Rhodope-Evros region Salih Ahmet, indicated that the minority students from closed schools and their parents were in a difficult situation and requested that their demands were to be taken into consideration. The representatives also emphasized the necessity that Greek authorities must get into dialog and consultation with Turkish Minority of Western Thrace on issues related to minority education.

Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) President Halit Habip Oğlu: “Turkish Minority of Western Thrace has collectively said “no” to the decision to close minority schools taken unilaterally by Education Directorate of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region. Our minority showed its determination not to let the educational autonomy guaranteed by treaties be destroyed in practice by illegal and arbitrary approaches by Greek authorities. As representing the Western Thrace Turks living in Europe, ABTTF demands that the decision to close down minority schools, which have autonomous statutes, is a violation of educational rights of minority kids and offers no contribution to their education and should be abandoned immediately. We would also like to assert our support for the demonstration against the decision of closure.”

*Photo: www.gundemgazetesi.com