Armenian Citizens’ Children May Be Barred from Attending Armenian Schools in Istanbul

ISTANBUL — Inspectors from Turkey’s Ministry of Education have begun conducting inspections at Armenian schools in Istanbul, with similar inspections expected to take place at Greek and Jewish minority schools.

According to reports, inspectors have informed Armenian school administrators that they will no longer be permitted to enroll students who are citizens of Armenia and have reportedly advised that such students be transferred to Turkish public schools, Ermenihaber reported.

Under regulations adopted in 2012, foreign-national children were permitted to attend national minority schools as “guest students,” although they were not entitled to receive graduation certificates.

The reported attempt to abruptly end a practice that has been in effect for approximately 14 years has caused serious concern within the Armenian community and among human rights advocates.

The Association for Human Rights and Solidarity with the Oppressed, known as MAZLUMDER, is currently examining possible violations of the educational rights of students who are citizens of Armenia.

MAZLUMDER told the Istanbul-based Armenian weekly Agos that it is seeking meetings with civil society organizations, educational institutions, relevant government authorities and families affected by the decision.

The development is considered particularly significant because it comes amid the ongoing normalization process between Armenia and Turkey.