19.08.2026 12:30
The new term is starting in schools. The new directive, with increased security measures, has been sent to 81 provinces. Accordingly, entry and exit in school environments will be controlled, pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be separated, and blind spots will be illuminated. Unannounced visits by parents and entry into the school by persons who are not the student's parent or guardian will not be permitted.
The Ministry of National Education (MEB) announced that the circular on 'Operations and Procedures for the 2026-2027 Academic Year', prepared before the new academic year starting on Monday, September 14, 2026, was published with the signature of Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin and sent to all 81 provinces.
CIRCULAR SENT TO 81 PROVINCES
According to the statement made by the Ministry; Since 2023, a circular has been prepared before each academic year in order to ensure that educational and training activities in public and private schools and institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education are carried out in unity of practice in line with the Ministry's policies, to increase the quality of education services, and to manage educational environments safely, effectively, and efficiently. Before the new academic year starting on Monday, September 14, 2026, the circular on 'Operations and Procedures for the 2026-2027 Academic Year' was published with the signature of Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin and sent to 81 provinces.
AWARENESS OF NATIONAL UNITY AND SOLIDARITY WILL BE STRENGTHENED
According to the circular, in line with the 'Century of Türkiye' vision and the state's goals, the national stance introduced by the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, adopted with the joint will of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, will be one of the Ministry's most fundamental uncompromising priorities and a main goal of educational processes. Acting in accordance with this state will shall be the shared responsibility of the education community. In line with the historical responsibility inherited from the educational approach of the Ministry of National Education, shaped by the awareness of national unity and independence, whose foundations were laid during the years of the National Struggle with Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words, 'A nation that knows how to work with determination and decision, united as one body for the homeland when necessary, is certainly a nation worthy of and a candidate for a great future'; within the framework of the basic principles of Turkish National Education, especially the general objectives of the Basic Law of National Education No. 1739, and in accordance with the holistic spirit of the Century of Türkiye Educational Model, students will be absolutely raised with the consciousness to protect national unity and solidarity, the homeland, and the bond of brotherhood, without discrimination, on the basis of constitutional citizenship understanding and the principle of equality. For this purpose, activities will be planned and carried out in the first week of the 2026-2027 academic year and throughout the year in line with the implementation guides prepared by the Ministry.
STRICT INSPECTIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT ENTRIES AND EXITS
In order to uncompromisingly maintain a healthy and safe school climate, the provisions of the circular on 'Taking Security Measures in Schools', the 'Cooperation Protocol for Increasing Protective and Preventive Services and Measures Regarding the Safety of Children's Educational Processes', and the letter of the Ministry of Interior on 'School and Surroundings Security Measures' will be implemented completely, and inspections will continue at routine intervals. Provincial and district executive boards will convene at the beginning of the academic year to review their duties and responsibilities and potential risks to the school and its surroundings, and will make plans. Entries and exits in school environments will be controlled, pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be separated, blind spots will be illuminated, and maintenance and repair works to ensure rapid and safe evacuation in emergencies will be completed urgently.
PARENTS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT
Reports and complaints regarding matters that could threaten the security of the school and students will be evaluated, and measures will be taken immediately. In order to prevent negative behaviors from turning into acts and crimes, all protective and preventive measures will be implemented in coordination with relevant institutions, and the slightest administrative weakness or negligence on this matter will definitely not be permitted. Parent meetings will be planned and conducted nationwide only through the 'School Appointment System'. Unannounced visits by parents and the entry of individuals who are not the student's parent or guardian will not be allowed. This practice will be implemented without exception in all educational institutions to protect the professional rights of teachers and maintain safe educational environments.
TEACHERS WILL WEAR LAB COATS
Educational institution administrators, teachers, and education workers will observe the dignity of the teaching profession, the responsibility of representation, and the quality of being role models for students while performing their duties; they will act in accordance with the dignity of the profession, the seriousness of public service, and social sensitivities in their attire and clothing, and will wear lab coats. In this context, necessary information will be provided at the teachers' board meeting to be held at the beginning of the academic year, and the practice will be followed up by provincial/national education directorates, and actions contrary to legislation will not be permitted.
THE PRACTICE OF NOT USING CELL PHONES WILL CONTINUE
Guidance efforts for students to benefit correctly from digital opportunities will be intensified, and awareness of factors causing digital addiction will be increased. The practice regarding students not keeping cell phones in the classroom will continue, and teachers will also not use cell phones in the classroom. In giving homework or making announcements, the use of tools other than the digital platforms/applications determined by the Ministry will be avoided, and necessary guidance will be provided to students and parents on this matter.
PEDAGOGICAL AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES WILL BE OBSERVED IN CELEBRATIONS
The music, videos, brochures, banners, and other materials to be used in ceremonies, celebrations, commemoration days, graduation, and similar events in schools will be determined with the approval of the Work Examination and Selection Committee established in line with the provisions of the Regulation. Pedagogical and ethical principles will be adhered to in social media posts. Graduation events will be planned and carried out in a manner compatible with social values and student identity, and without imposing additional financial burden on parents. Practices contrary to the matters specified in the Ministry's Circular on 'Graduation Day Events' will not be permitted.
MATERIALS OTHER THAN FREELY DISTRIBUTED RESOURCES WILL NOT BE USED
Materials other than the resources distributed free of charge by the Ministry will not be used in schools and institutions. In procuring student needs, parents will not be forced to buy specific brands and high-cost imported stationery sets; instead, the use of domestic products supporting the country's production capacity will be enabled. All practices that impose financial burden on parents will be avoided; guidance, advertising, and promotional organizations will definitely not be permitted in schools. At all educational levels, except for the common exam practices determined by the Ministry and the measurement and evaluation tools prepared by the Ministry, trial exams, readiness practices, screening exams, and similar exams that pit students against each other, subject them to ranking, or impose additional financial burden on parents, will not be allowed to be implemented in schools or to be purchased by students.
Exams prepared for this purpose by private publishing houses or other individuals and organizations will also be considered within this scope. No application, regardless of its name or nature, prepared and organized outside the Ministry that does not align with the Ministry's measurement and evaluation policies and that may negatively affect students' academic, social, and emotional development will be permitted to be conducted in schools. .