Education Ministry audits Armenian schools over enrollment of non-Turkish citizens
The National Education Ministry has begun inspections of Armenian schools, with inspectors telling administrators they can no longer enroll Armenian citizens as “guest students,” according to Agos, an İstanbul-based Armenian community newspaper.
Inspectors also requested information about Armenian citizens who previously attended the schools, the newspaper reported. Authorities are considering the transfer of currently enrolled students to public schools.
The inspections are not expected to be limited to Armenian schools as Greek and Jewish schools are also reportedly within the scope of the audits, Agos said.
Armenians, Greeks and Jews are Turkey's recognized minority groups under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. Minority schools established under the treaty serve citizens of Turkey belonging to those communities.
A regulation issued by the National Education Ministry on Mar 20, 2012 allowed foreign nationals to attend private schools as “guest students." These students are not eligible for diplomas but receive documents listing the courses they completed when they leave school.
Armenian schools have admitted children who are Armenian citizens under this arrangement for about 14 years.
If the practice ends following the inspections, students who are already ineligible for diplomas could also lose the ability to continue their education at Armenian schools.
Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Sahak Maşalyan is also aware of the developments, according to Agos.
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(NÖ/VK)