Armenian Children from Armenia Prohibited from Attending Armenian Schools in Istanbul; Community Searches for Solutions

The Turkish Ministry of Education's new decision has prevented Armenian children from Armenia who are residing in Turkey from receiving education in Armenian minority schools.

For around ten years, Armenian children whose parents have work or residency rights in Turkey were allowed to study in Armenian schools in Istanbul under the status of "guest-students." Here, these children participated alongside Turkish-Armenian children in all classes and took exams, but they did not receive official graduation certificates. Instead, they were given a document containing their final grades.

However, officials from the Turkish Ministry of Education recently informed Armenian schools that Armenian children from Armenia could no longer continue their education under their roof. According to the new decision, these children are required to receive their education in Turkish public schools.

The editor-in-chief of Istanbul's Armenian newspaper "Zhamanak," Ara Gochunyan, stated in an interview with Armenpress that the ministry's new decision does not only pertain to Armenian schools and Armenian children. "The ministry has had certain observations regarding other minority schools as well, which has created a situation that denies children from families migrating from Armenia who attend our schools as 'guest-students' that opportunity," said Gochunyan.

He elaborated that this situation specifically concerns only Armenian community schools and does not apply to the "Hrant Dink" school operating in Istanbul. Established in the early 2000s, this school, which is not recognized by the Turkish authorities and holds no official status, educates children of Armenian migrants residing temporarily in Turkey. Education here is conducted using Armenian textbooks, according to Armenia's educational program.

Children graduating from the "Hrant Dink" school have the opportunity to come to Armenia and continue their education after passing an exam. On the other hand, children attending minority schools have no status and do not receive even an official diploma. Although the possession of a document showing grades often creates issues for continuing their education in Armenia, these Armenian children in Istanbul had a chance to be within some form of an educational environment," Gochunyan noted.

He also informed that on August 24, a meeting will be held by the union of Turkish Armenian foundations, which will involve representatives from all foundations with schools. It is expected that participants will discuss possible solutions to the created situation.

Up to 3000 children learn in Armenian schools in Istanbul, of which approximately 500 are Armenian citizens and have received education so far under the status of "guest-students." "Moreover, the status of attending school as a 'guest-student' was granted with the permission of Turkish authorities. Now, community leaders are trying to explore various aspects of the issue and to present proposals to the authorities to understand how to address this problem," Gochunyan mentioned.

He also revealed that after the meeting on August 24, the delegation representing the Armenian community might initiate a visit to the Istanbul governor's office to raise this issue of concern for the community.