The standard of education in Turkey varies across the country, and although Turkish public schools are an option, most expats choose to send their children to a private or international school.
Education in Turkey is compulsory for all children from primary through secondary school, between the ages of six and 18. The academic year is generally from mid-September through early June.
Primary and secondary education in public schools in Turkey is free to all children, including expats. Secondary school education is comprised of 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 Diploması (Secondary School Diploma), which secures the right to partake in nationwide exams for university entry.
Public schools follow the Turkish national curriculum, and the language of instruction is Turkish.
Like public schools, private schools in Turkey generally follow the Turkish national curriculum, with teaching being in Turkish. Some of the more prestigious private schools do offer a bilingual education, however.
As private schools in Turkey offer smaller class sizes, better-qualified teachers and a wider range of extracurricular and athletic activities than public schools, they are becoming increasingly popular.
A bilingual private school may be a good middle ground for expat children who will be staying in Turkey for the long term, as mixing with local children and learning partly in the local language can help them to assimilate better.
There’s a wide range of international schools in Turkey, most of which can be found in Ankara and Istanbul. These schools offer various foreign curricula, including British, German and French. Some of these schools also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. Teaching is generally in English or the language of the school’s sponsoring country.
Most international schools offer students the opportunity to learn the Turkish language as well and have field trips and cultural activities to assist children to integrate better into Turkish culture and society.
Spaces are often limited at international schools, particularly in Ankara, which has a large diplomatic community due to the number of foreign embassies in the city, so expat parents need to plan ahead to secure a spot for their child. Tuition at private and international schools is expensive, so expats moving to Turkey for work purposes should factor this into contract negotiations.
Before moving to Turkey, ensure you and the family are fully covered with a reliable health insurance plan. Explore our comprehensive international health insurance plans, designed to provide you reassurance. Find out more about the Turkey healthcare system in our Healthcare in Turkey guide.
