It absolutely unacceptable that minority primary schools continue to be closed, during the last few years. 2 years ago, cases in relation to the decision to close some minority primary schools were opened, however the continuing cases were deferred 6 times, thus legitimacy of new decisions to close minority schools is controversial. In this context, our expectation is that the cases filed against the Council of State regarding the closed schools are addressed as soon as possible.

The closing of minority schools on the basis of administrative decisions is completely wrong as it is in violation of, in particular, the Treaty of Lausanne, international and special laws signed and guaranteed between Turkey and Greece giving minority education and minority schools legislation a special status. Besides the doors of schools being locked which are a village’s most important dynamic. The promise of ‘better quality education’ given to schools which have been shut and closed is an empty promise. Furthermore, during this period at which the economic crisis is at a peak, transportation costs will be another burden for families.

The Western Thrace Turkish does not accept the closure of minority schools in villages. As the FEP Party we request that demands and requests of minority organisations and the education community is taken into account and that on the eve of schools opening that the decision to close 9 minority schools is reconsidered.

And also; we request that the ‘ Muslim Children Education’ programme of improving the Greek curriculum in minority schools is revised, in which it is evaluated encompassing the Turkish and Greek curriculum and that improvements are made in line with expectations of the minority through the immediate start of dialogue between the Ministry of Education and minority organisations. We expect necessary steps to be taken.