Reports claiming that minority schools in the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace region are closing are inaccurate and false, the regional deputy director for education Marigoula Kosmidou said on Wednesday, explaining that any suspension of their operation was due to a lack of pupils.
"Minority schools don't 'close', but their operation is suspended. If the number of students increases, the minority school resumes its operation," she said, replying to questions from journalists.
"Every year, the Regional Directorate of Education of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace examines the number of pupils at each school, whether public or minority and makes decisions regarding the operation of schools based on the law and the children's best interests," she said.
"When there is an increase in pupils, there is an increase...in the number of teachers serving. When there is a reduction in pupils, the number of teachers is reduced, and when the number of pupils is very small, the school is 'shut' and merged with another school a short distance away.
"Minority schools, in particular, are not 'shut', but their operation is suspended. In any case, provision is made for the free transportation of pupils to areas where a school is in operation. We point out that there is a free choice of the type of school attended."
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