GREEK THRACE: A modern, European model of Minority Education The educational situation in a nutshell  In school year 2011-12 174 minority primary schools operate in Thrace. Most of them are in mountainous and inaccessible areas and do not have the minimum number of students required for their operation. Nevertheless, the state continues to operate them to help students who, otherwise, would be forced to move to other schools. Specific programs have been implemented for several years to make it easier for minority students to learn the Greek language, through books written specifically for them. In minority regions of Thrace there are 57 public kindergartens. In secondary education, there are two minority secondary schools in Xanthi and Komotini, as well as two religious secondary schools in Komotini and in Echinos in the Municipality of Myki in Xanthi, respectively. The religious schools follow the curriculum of public schools, while educating students to undertake religious duties in Islamic mosques. At the same time, a large number of Muslim students choose to attend public secondary education. In school year 2011 12, 6.388 students attend public Junior High schools, Senior and Vocational High schools in - Thrace. 6388 700 0 ST UD EN TS 600 0 412 7 3604 4480 4660 3747 500 0 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR  Since school year 2007-2008, a pilot program for the teaching of the Turkish language in public Junior and Senior High Schools has been introduced.  Muslim minority students are allowed to enter Greek universities and Technological Institutes with additional rate posts (0,5%).