Baku, August 19, AZERTAC

The Ministry of National Education (MEB) of Türkiye has issued a circular outlining procedures and measures for the 2026-2027 academic year, with schools set to prioritize safety, digital literacy, family involvement and student development, according to Daily Sabah.

The new academic year begins Sept. 14, according to the circular signed by Education Minister Yusuf Tekin and sent to all provinces. The ministry says the circular sets out the procedures and measures to be implemented throughout the school year.

The circular places national unity and social cohesion among the ministry’s core priorities. In line with the Türkiye Century Education Model, schools will organize activities aimed at strengthening students’ awareness of national unity, citizenship, attachment to their country and social solidarity.

Schools will also implement measures to maintain a safe and healthy educational environment. Existing provisions on school security and preventive services will be applied in full, while inspections will continue at regular intervals.

Provincial and district executive boards will meet at the beginning of the academic year to review their responsibilities and assess potential risks around schools.

The circular calls for controlled entry and exit procedures, the separation of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, improved lighting in blind spots and the completion of maintenance and repair work required for rapid and safe evacuation during emergencies.

Reports and complaints concerning issues that could threaten the safety of schools and students will also be assessed, with preventive and protective measures implemented in coordination with relevant institutions.

Parent meetings will be conducted nationwide only through the School Appointment System. Unscheduled visits by parents will not be permitted, and people who are not students’ parents or legal guardians will not be allowed to enter schools.

The measure will be implemented without exception across educational institutions to protect teachers’ professional rights and maintain safe learning environments.

The circular also calls on school administrators, teachers and education staff to uphold the dignity and professional standing of the teaching profession while carrying out their duties. Teachers will be expected to comply with standards concerning professional decorum, the seriousness of public service and social sensitivities, including wearing professional aprons.

Parents will not be required to pay registration fees for automatically assigned school registrations through the e-School system.

Student registrations will be conducted according to the ministry’s address-based registration rules. Schools will not be allowed to enroll students from outside their designated registration areas, with the measure intended to support balanced class sizes, equal opportunities and efficient use of school capacity.

Schools will also be prohibited from requesting mandatory payments from parents under the name of registration fees or other charges.

The ministry will continue efforts to help students use digital technologies appropriately and raise awareness of factors that contribute to digital addiction.

Students will continue to be prohibited from keeping mobile phones in classrooms, while teachers will also not use mobile phones during lessons. Schools will guide students and parents toward digital platforms designated by the ministry for assignments and information sharing.

The “Play at the Heart of Education” theme will guide the 2026-2027 academic year under the Türkiye Century Education Model.

Schools will incorporate safe, inclusive and age-appropriate games, as well as traditional children’s games, into educational activities, recognizing play as an integral part of children’s learning, development, socialization, production and self-expression.

The ministry will also strengthen cooperation between schools and families to encourage parents to participate actively in the education process and support children’s development at home.

The “My Educational Journey With My Family” activities will be carried out according to ministry guidelines and activity books, while preschool family education bulletins will be regularly delivered to parents.

As part of the Türkiye Century Education Model, free educational materials highlighting the shared history, culture and civilization of the Turkic world will be distributed to students.

Middle school students will receive “Hakan and Bilge’s Journey Through the Turkic World,” while high school students will receive “Atlas of Turkic World Culture: Bilge and Hakan’s Journey Beyond Time.” The materials will be placed on students’ desks alongside their free textbooks.

Materials used for ceremonies, celebrations, commemorations and graduation events will require approval from the ministry’s Works Review and Selection Board.

Social media posts related to school events will be expected to comply with pedagogical and ethical principles. Graduation ceremonies will be planned in accordance with social values and students’ identities and without creating additional financial burdens for families.

The circular also states that schools will not use materials other than those distributed free of charge by the ministry. Students and parents will not be forced to purchase products from specific brands or expensive imported stationery sets. Instead, schools will be encouraged to use locally produced goods that support domestic production capacity.

The circular also states that schools will not be allowed to organize activities that place additional financial burdens on parents, including promotional, advertising or marketing events. Practice exams and similar tests that rank students or create additional costs will also be prohibited, except for assessments approved by the ministry.

Vocational schools will fully implement occupational health and safety measures, while workplaces hosting students for vocational training and internships will undergo suitability checks before placements begin.

Schools will use content from the “Haberimiz Olsun” platform to strengthen students’ media literacy and digital communication skills and support efforts to combat disinformation. Activities will also promote domestic production, financial literacy and saving.

Support education rooms will be established for students with special educational needs, including gifted students, with individualized programs and teacher support.