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Minority representatives in Western Thrace, Greece, say the suspension of Turkish minority primary schools for the 2026-2027 academic year undermines children's right to education in their mother tongue and weakens the community's cultural continuity. Mustafa Trampa, head of the advisory board of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and elected mufti of Xanthi, said eight minority primary schools are being halted: five in Rodopi, two in Xanthi and one in Evros.

Trampa described the move, officially termed temporary, as an effective closure that narrows the community's room for action. Minority education enjoys a special status under the Treaty of Lausanne and international law, he said, adding that these bilingual institutions are central to preserving the community's language, religion and culture. He urged families to keep enrolling their children and noted that Greece is expected to protect Greek minority schools in Turkey and Gokceada in the same way.

Ozan Ahmetoglu, chairman of the board of the Xanthi Minority Middle and High School, criticized the application of general school-closure rules to minority schools without regard to their protected status. He said three decades of calls to improve education quality have gone unanswered and accused Athens of refusing consultation. Minority children, he said, have a right to Turkish and Greek-language education, adding: "This is an acquired right and we want to exercise it."

Key Takeaways

• Eight Turkish minority primary schools in Rodopi, Xanthi and Evros are being suspended for 2026-2027, according to Mustafa Trampa.
• Representatives say closures breach minority education rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne and international agreements.
• Community leaders urge Greece to consult minorities and note Turkey's efforts to sustain Greek minority schools.