According to Turkish national law, all children in Türkiye, including foreigners (as well as international protection applicants, international protection status holders, and those under temporary protection), have the right to receive primary and secondary school education free of charge. In addition to being crucial for children’s development and social cohesion, education also fosters cognitive growth and improves language skills. Furthermore, education will help children to navigate challenges, including displacement.

It is important for children to attend school, no matter how long you expect to stay in Türkiye! Even if you hope to be resettled to another country or to go back to your country, it is important that you and your family use the time in Türkiye to develop the skills that will help your children integrate socially and academically into a new education system. The longer your children are out of school, the more difficult this becomes.

Formal Education in Türkiye is:

• Compulsory
• Free,
• Implemented with 4+4+4 system,
• Imperative for parents to register their children in school and ensure their attendance until the completion.

You have to ensure that your child is registered in a school. But registration is not enough, continuity is also significant!! Failure to do so may result in significant penalties for you. Remember, a lack of proficiency in Turkish should not hinder your access to education.

It’s crucial for every child to continue to high school. In addition to regular high schools, there are also vocational high schools where your child can gain practical skills for a profession, where they have the opportunity to acquire technical and vocational skills. Vocational and technical education at the high school level is given through institutions like Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools, Multi-Programme Anatolian High Schools, and Vocational Training Centers (MESEM). If your child in enrolled in these schools, they can benefit from the PIKTES+ (Promoting Inclusive Education for Kids in the Turkish Education System) Programme. Further information about PIKTES is available below.

If you have a child with specific needs, you should apply for Counseling and Research Centers (RAM). You can find the list for RAMs: orgm.meb.gov.tr/alt_sayfalar/kurum.asp. Prior to seeking assistance from RAM, obtaining a ÇÖZGER (Special Needs Report for Children) is essential to ensure appropriate referrals.

How to enroll your child in school?

You have to apply to the closest Turkish school or District National Education Directorate (DNoNE), or for some provinces Provincial Directorates of National Education (PDoNE). You can find the schools that your child can enroll through e-okul system. You can find E-Okul System: https://e-okul.meb.gov.tr/

Needed documents for school enrollment are as follows:

• Valid international protection applicant ID or international protection status holder ID or temporary protection ID which are given Provincial Directorates of Migration Management (PDMMs),
• Residence registration (not mandatory, is it needed if there is not information in the national data base. You can take it from Birth Registry Office, or Mukhtars),
• Other documents needed by Schools (equivalence document, transcript, diplome etc… )

E-Equivalence

If you possess any documents from your child’ previous education life, your child will be subjected to an equivalence processes. This online process entails the following steps:

• You should follow the guidance on https://edenklik.meb.gov.tr/?culture=tr-TR and upload the relevant documents,
• Upon completion of the application, you will receive an appointment with a designated date and time,
• Ensure your availability at the scheduled appointment date and time,
• Bring all necessary document to your appointment date and time,
• The Equivalence Center will review the documents, and will decide based on the opinion of the Board of Education and Discipline,
• The Equivalence Center may render one of three decisions: acceptance, rejection or requirement for a placement test.

Please be aware that Equivalency Centers within PDoNEs/DNoNEs may take some time to forward your documents to the Central Office for review by the Board of Education and Discipline due to their heavy workload. It is crucial that all documents are notarized. Additionally, the Equivalence Center may request supplementary documents if necessary.

In cases where you lack document due to the circumstances such as was, disaster, or asylum procedures:

• Your child may undergo a placement test.
• Primary school children are exempt from the placement test, and determination will be made based on families’ verbal statements.

PIKTES+

The Catch-Up Trainings under the PIKTES+ Project aim to offer educational support to students seeking to enhance their Turkish literacy skills, including those who are completely new to the language. These classes, along with all other initiatives within the project, are accessible to children under international protection and temporary protection.

Furthermore, as part of the PIKTES+ Project, Vocational and Technical Education Scholarships are available to international students, including those under international protection and temporary protection, as well as Turkish citizens who are studying in Vocational and technical education at the high school level. PIKTES+ offered these scholarships to students in grades 9 through 12. For updates on scholarship opportunities, please visit the following link: https://piktes.gov.tr

Financial Support for Education (From Kindergarten to 12th Grade)

Conditional Cash Transfer for Education (CCTE) for Foreigners Programme is implemented by the Ministry of Family and Social Services (MFSS), the Ministry of National Education (MoNE), and the Turkish Red Crescent. Children under international protection and temporary protection can also benefit from this programme. This programme is the extension of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme for Education, which has been implemented by MFSS since 2003 for Turkish citizens living in Türkiye. Under this programme, cash assistance is provided to families whose children (from kindergarten to 12th grade) regularly attend school, provided one they meet the criteria. Applicants must be registered with the PDMMs, have a foreign identity number starting with 99, and be registered in the MERNIS database. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the programme and send their children to school regularly to receive payments regularly. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Being under temporary protection or international protection in Türkiye and living outside of camps,
• Being deprived of income and social security at the time of application,
• Having at least one child attending school in the family.

If you wish to apply for this program, please approach the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (SASF) or the TRC Service Centers (SC) in your province or district. If you move to a new address, promptly inform the SASF or SC in your current province or district to ensure uninterrupted assistance.

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITY

If you are under temporary protection and wish to pursue a university education in Türkiye, you have the opportunity to attend Turkish universities. The first step is to take the International Student Admission Exam (TR-YÖS), administered centrally by the Center for Evaluation, Selection, and Placement (ÖSYM) twice a year. Announcements and information regarding the exam can be found on the ÖSYM website (https://www.osym.gov.tr). Tuition fees vary among universities and depend on the chosen program and faculty. Additionally, students should budget for local transportation, books, and living expenses.

Students who want to enroll in associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in Türkiye must meet the following criteria:

• Possess a valid Foreigner Identification Number issued by PDMM (Provincial Directorate of Migration Management) (99 number) under temporary protection.
• Have completed the 12th grade and provide proof of completion.
• Take the TR-YÖS exam conducted by ÖSYM.
• Provide the required documentation.

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) are the authorized institutions for higher education in Türkiye. Information regarding university admissions and financial support is available on their websites (https://www.yok.gov.tr, https://ytb.gov.tr). Specific details about academic programs and admission requirements for international students can be found on universities’ websites.

Students who started their university studies in Syria or any other country but were not able to complete them may ask universities to recognize the credits (courses) they have passed. Each university independently decides whether to recognize these courses, and the decision may vary by department. Information on equivalence can be accessed on YÖK’s website (https://denklik.yok.gov.tr).

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Several organizations provide scholarships to Syrian students under temporary protection for higher education in Türkiye. These include YTB, UNHCR, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and various NGOs.

UNHCR offers the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) scholarship program in partnership with YTB. DAFI scholarships cover a wide range of expenses, including accommodation, food, local transportation, study materials, registration, and tuition fees. Additionally, in partnership with YTB, UNHCR provides semester-based cash grant support, known as Higher Education Cash Grants (HECG), for Syrians under temporary protection enrolled in Turkish universities.

Students interested in the DAFI scholarship or HECG should monitor the YTB website, the UNHCR Help website, or social media accounts for announcements and information on eligibility criteria and application processes. UNHCR also advises students to apply for Türkiye Scholarships, as DAFI or HECG may not be available every year.

OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Students may also apply for the ICMPD’s EU Scholarships, provided they meet the following criteria:

• They are under temporary protection.
• They are studying in one of the designated provinces: Ankara, Kayseri, Eskişehir, Konya, Trabzon, Karabük, Samsun, İzmir, Erzurum, Adana, Mersin, Hatay, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Van, İstanbul, Bursa.
• They meet the success and other specified criteria.
• They are enrolled in a 4-year Bachelor’s program, a thesis or non-thesis Master’s program, or a Ph.D. program.

Information about EU Scholarships can be accessed at (https://euburs.org).

Remember that the applications of eligible candidates will be carefully reviewed by Scholarship Offices based on criteria such as academic standing, qualifications, academic interests, and participation in social activities.

It is also recommended to regularly check YTB’s Türkiye Scholarships page. Türkiye Scholarships is a comprehensive scholarship program aimed at international students in Türkiye, offering various scholarships. More information can be found at (https://ytb.gov.tr/daireler/uluslararasi-ogrenciler/turkiye-burslari).

International protection applicants, international protection status holders and those who are under temporary protection have right to attend Turkish universities. In addition to standard university option, institutions and websites providing online or distance education are listed below.

University Education:

If you want to study at a university in Türkiye, you can benefit from distance learning opportunities. Distance learning is a type of university education where there is no obligation to come to campus, and you can follow course modules in a virtual environment.

Anadolu University offers extensive options in distance learning. To study at Anadolu University, you need to take an entrance exam and pay tuition fees. Degrees and diplomas awarded by Anadolu University are recognized in Türkiye and internationally. Ankara University, Istanbul University and Atatürk University also offer university education through distance higher education programmes.

Online Education at Formal Education Level:

It is possible to study primary and middle school through distance learning.

Ministry of National Education Distance  Education Website provides free online support for primary and middle school students with online books.

Certificate Programmes and Other Online Education Opportunities:

Universities in Türkiye also offer online certificate programmes. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi has distance education programmes in foreign languages and professional fields. Other universities offering online certificate programmes can be explored  from there.  

YTB Akademi offers online courses in Turkish language, English at the A1 level, stress management, teamwork, and resume preparation.

Istanbul Municipality Distance Learning Platform offers distance learning opportunities in various vocational fields. These courses cover various vocational fields such as database design, wood painting, and clothing tailoring.

Institutions like University of the People, Coursera, Udemy and others offer online programmes. Most of these programmes are not officially recognized in Türkiye, but they are useful for refreshing knowledge and preparing for university.

Non-formal education is a lifelong education model. It is purpose-oriented, with a curriculum, but different from formal education. In Türkiye, non-formal education is provided at Public Education Centers (PEC) under the Directorate General for Lifelong Learning of the Ministry of National Education.

At PECs, skill acquisition and vocational and technical education courses are provided free of charge. To register for these courses, you need to have either your International Protection Identity or Temporary Protection Identity. There must be at least 12 people for the courses to be opened.

UNHCR Türkiye supports vocational and technical courses such as textiles, embroidery, cooking, pastry making, dry cleaning, shoemaking, hairdressing, ceramics, jewelry craftsmanship, carpentry, and pearls craftsmanship in more than 35 Public Education Centers in 20 provinces. Therefore, by participating in such courses, you can prepare for a profession, develop work habits, become an active producer, and even acquire enough knowledge and skills to work in a workplace or establish your own business. Additionally, municipalities can also provide vocational and technical education courses.

Learning Turkish is a fundamental skill for sustaining your life during your stay in Türkiye. Learning Turkish will facilitate daily life and simple tasks (such as shopping, using public transportation), enable friendships with other individuals living in the same region, and assist in emergencies (communicating with doctors or police).

Free Turkish courses are provided by Public Education Centers. To enroll in a course, please contact the Public Education Center in your province or district.

Anadolu University offers free online Turkish language courses at the beginner (A1) and elementary (A2) levels. These courses are open to anyone who wants to learn Turkish. To learn more about the ANA-DİL Turkish language programme and to register, you can access Anadolu University’s ANA-DİL Turkish program website

Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) offers online Turkish courses from beginner (A1) to advanced (C1) levels. Since the courses are offered in a flexible structure, YEI’s “Distance Turkish Learning Portal” allows students to learn Turkish at their own pace and from anywhere they want. You can find more information on this topic on the Yunus Emre Institute’s website and register for the program

Additionally, municipalities can also provide Turkish language courses.