Education and Schools in Turkey

The standard of education and schools in Turkey varies. As Turkish is the language of instruction at all public schools, most expat parents choose to send their children to private or international schools instead.

Public schools in Turkey

Education in Turkey is compulsory for all children between the ages of six and 18 from primary through to secondary school. Primary and secondary education in public schools is free to all children, including foreigners, although parents are expected to cover ancillary costs for extras such as stationery, uniforms, and school bus services.

High school education in Turkey comprises different branches, including general, vocational and technical schools, with each having a different educational focus. Upon finishing their secondary education, students are awarded the Lise Diplomasi (Secondary School Diploma), which secures the right to partake in nationwide exams for university entry.

The language of instruction at public schools is Turkish, but all children are required to learn a foreign language. Language choices are typically either English, German, Spanish or French.

The school day is generally made up of a morning and afternoon session, with the school week running from Monday to Friday. The academic year in Turkey typically runs from mid-September to mid-June. It is divided into two semesters, with a two-week winter break usually starting in late January.

Useful links

• Turkish Ministry of National Education

Private schools in Turkey

Private schools in Turkey follow the Turkish national curriculum, with the language of instruction being Turkish. Some of the more prestigious private schools offer bilingual education.

Expat children applying to a private school in Turkey will typically be assessed with a general exam or portfolio review to determine their academic level and grade placement.

International schools in Turkey

Most international schools in Turkey are concentrated in Istanbul and Ankara, although options are growing in coastal hubs like Izmir and Antalya. They cover various curricula, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), British A Levels, and the American High School Diploma, with instruction primarily in English, German, or French.

Spaces are often limited at international schools in Turkey. This is particularly true in Ankara, which has a large diplomatic community owing to the number of foreign embassies in the city. Expat parents will therefore need to plan well ahead to secure a spot for their child.

By law, all schools must offer Turkish language and culture lessons. Many international schools also provide field trips and cultural activities to help children assimilate into Turkish society.

Tuition at private and international schools is costly. Expats should factor this into their contract when negotiating a relocation package, as education allowances are a common benefit.

To learn more about specific international schools, see International Schools in Istanbul and International Schools in Ankara.

International Schools in Istanbul
International Schools in Ankara

Special educational needs in Turkey

The Turkish government has a policy to keep children living with disabilities in mainstream classes as far as possible.

Many international schools in Turkey offer special-needs education, but the type of support offered varies between schools. Some schools offer assistance for students with mild learning difficulties, while others will have more extensive support systems designed to deal with a range of needs.

The British International School in Istanbul is one international school that offers special-needs support throughout its primary and secondary departments.

Alongside private schools, various Turkish NGOs and state-affiliated institutions provide support. For example, the HAYPADER Special Education Practice School in Istanbul offers services, although these are typically delivered in Turkish.

Expat parents looking for special-needs education in Turkey should research school-specific support extensively before relocating. For an official assessment, parents can contact the state-run Guidance and Research Centre (Rehberlik ve Araştırma Merkezi, or RAM) in their local district, although all services are conducted in Turkish.

This organisation (the RAM) reviews a child’s physical, personal, and academic development to provide official recommendations on education options. It also provides families with guidance on care and treatment pathways for a child with special needs.

Useful links

• Tohum Autism Foundation
• Turkish Down Syndrome Association
• Cerebral Palsy Turkey (Türkiye Spastik Çocuklar Vakfı)

Tutors in Turkey

Receiving private tutoring in Turkey while preparing for a national examination is common. Due to fierce competition to get into elite high schools and universities, most children will receive tutoring at some point during their academic careers.

There are three forms of private tutoring in Turkey. The first, and priciest, is one one-on-one tutoring. This is usually done by an accomplished university student or a retired teacher. These tutors often guarantee excellent results and therefore charge high prices.

The second type is supplementary courses offered on school premises. In public schools, these are state-sponsored support courses (known as DYK) offered by teachers outside of regular class hours to help students prepare for exams. Private schools often run similar extra study programmes organised by the school board.

Finally, the most popular form of tutoring is provided by private tutoring centres. These centres, historically known as dershaneler, now officially operate as ‘Private Teaching Courses’ (Özel Öğretim Kursları). They function as weekend and after-school academies with professional teachers, often placing students into classes based on an entrance test. These schools charge a monthly fee and can be costly, but they are a central part of the university preparation scene.

Useful links

• IB Tutor Turkey
• Yunus Emre Institute
• Berlitz Turkey
• SAT Istanbul (Test Prep)