28.07.2026 10:22
Comprehensive changes have been made in pre-school education and primary education institutions with the new regulation of the Ministry of National Education published in the Official Gazette. While school administration has been given the authority to conduct searches for security purposes, new regulations have also come into effect regarding registration, transfer, absenteeism, elective courses, and disciplinary practices.
The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) has made significant changes to the regulations for preschool and primary education institutions ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year. According to the decision published in the Official Gazette and put into effect, new practices are being implemented in many areas such as school security, registration procedures, elective courses, and absenteeism.
SEARCH AUTHORITY GRANTED TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Within the scope of the new regulation, the ministry, aiming to enhance security within schools, has granted search authority to school administrations to prevent potential adverse situations. Accordingly, searches may be conducted by authorized personnel in schools, dormitories, classrooms, desks, tables, and student lockers. These procedures will be carried out with full respect for students' personal rights, and every search conducted must be recorded in an official report.
MEETINGS TO BE HELD BY APPOINTMENT
Communication processes with parents in educational institutions have also been reorganized. According to the regulation, which ends the era of drop-in visits, all meetings between parents and school administrations or teachers will be planned and conducted through the appointment system on the official websites of the schools.
ADDRESS VERIFICATION REQUIRED
Student registration and transfer processes have been made more transparent. For new registrations to be made in July based on address information through the e-School system, school administrations may, if deemed necessary, request water, electricity, or natural gas bills from parents for address verification.
NEW ERA IN TRANSFER PROCEDURES
Transfer procedures will begin after the grade promotion process is completed and will continue until fifteen business days before the end of the academic term. This time restriction will not apply in special cases such as natural disasters, health issues, or inter-provincial address changes. With the new provisions added to the regulation, it has been decided that, in some exceptional circumstances, transfers can be made without requiring quota or address conditions. Children of martyrs and veterans, students requiring special education, and children covered by social protection laws will directly benefit from this exception. Additionally, facilitations have been introduced to allow siblings to study at the same school, to enable transfers based on the working parent's job address, and to allow education at the location where a severely disabled relative is receiving treatment.
ABSENTEEISM TO BE REPORTED TO PARENTS
New sanctions have also been introduced regarding the monitoring of student absenteeism and conditions for receiving certificates. Official notifications will be made via text message, mail, or other communication channels to the parents of students whose unexcused absenteeism reaches five, ten, and fifteen days. Students whose unexcused absenteeism reaches twenty days or more will not be able to receive a Certificate of Appreciation or Certificate of High Achievement at the end of the year, even if they succeed in passing the grade.
ELECTIVE COURSE PROCESS
Elective course preferences in middle schools and imam-hatip middle schools will be held in January and February. This process will be conducted together with the student, with the knowledge of the parent, classroom teacher, and guidance counselor. The programs of students who do not make course selections within the specified legal period will be determined directly by the school administration. Students who are new to the fifth grade will have the right to make elective course preferences and change their previous preferences during the first week of the academic year.