The north’s Greek language association (Yuder) chairman Arif Malek on Wednesday called for Greek language lessons to be introduced at high schools in the north.

Speaking to newspaper Yeni Duzen, he explained that Greek language lessons are currently offered as an elective course at middle schools in the north, but that those entering high schools at the start of this academic year found themselves unable to continue learning Greek.

He said pupils entering their first year of high school had requested that a Greek language elective course be offered, but that their requests were rejected “due to limited resources”.

He added that “efforts had been made” for Greek language lessons to be offered at high schools in the north this academic year but that “no results have been achieved”, while also criticising the fact that the existing middle school course was “not expanded”.

“Unfairly limiting it is not the right approach. If there is a demand, all pupils should be given this opportunity,” he said.

To this end, he accused the north’s ‘education ministry’ of attempting to “make savings” by not offering the elective course, adding, that “this situation could be attributed a political dimension”.

Despite this, he said, learning Greek is “important for our country”.