Armenian schools in Istanbul face grave problems

September 24, 2010 14:48
In his interview with the Bianet news website, Garo Paylan, Coordinator of the Education Commission formed by the funds run by Armenian schools, Headmaster of the Yeşilköy Armenian school, told about the education problems of the Istanbul-based Armenian community and about the critical situation of the Armenian schools.
According to him, the new school year has brought a number of unsettled problems. “Since universities have no Armenian-language departments, schools lack Armenian language teachers. Another problem arose after Hrant Dink’s murder, when Armenian schools began to receive threats – it is grave problem as well. Children are forgetting the language. Many people are now in doubt as to whether they should send their children to Armenian schools,” Paylan said. He said that an Armenian language department has been opened at the Ercis University. However, it has not so far employed an Armenian language specialist nor is it clear whether lectures will be delivered in eastern or western Armenian.
Paylan pointed out that only a few people have a good knowledge of western Armenian in Turkey. He is concerned over the fact that Istanbul-based Armenians do not speak their native language as often as before.
Paylan said they demand the dismissal of Turk deputy directors of Armenian schools.
“Before admitting an Armenian child to Armenian school, the Government demands proofs of his national identity. We raised the issue and demanded that it be up to the directors. However, the Ministry of Education delegated this authority to their Turk assistants, which is evidence of the government’s mistrust towards us,” Paylan said. He welcomed fee distribution of textbooks among Armenian schools.
As regards government financing of Armenian schools, Paylan pointed out that the Turkish Government had allocated some funds for this purpose until 1974. However, the situation is different now. “We presented the problem to the minister of education, and the issue is under consideration. We hope for a favorable decision. Three thousand Armenian children attend 16 Armenian schools in Istanbul. The Armenian schools can only survive due to charity. The Armenian Diaspora does not provide any support, and schools are sponsored only from external sources,” Paylan said.