As a result of the latest closure decision, the number of minority schools still operating in Western Thrace has decreased to 90. In 1995, there were 231 minority schools operating throughout the region. / Photo: AA Archive
However, some minority schools have to accommodate more students than their capacity allows, says Hakan Efendi, a Turkish HR specialist who completed his primary, middle and high school education in Iskece. Greek authorities have long prevented teachers from Türkiye from working at Turkish minority schools in Iskece despite the absence of such restrictions in the agreement. Since the 2002-2003 school year, Türkiye-educated teachers have also been barred from working at minority elementary schools.
“Insisting on employing these teachers, who lack the necessary qualifications, serves the sole purpose of keeping our children away from a successful educational experience," says Ahmet. However, today, there is still not a single public kindergarten in Western Thrace that teaches in Turkish, even in provinces where most of the residents are Turkish.presented a petition