New School Rules in Türkiye: What Changes in 2026–2027

📚 Türkiye Introduces New School Rules for the 2026–2027 Academic Year

The Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) has approved a comprehensive set of new regulations for preschools and primary schools. The changes, published in the Official Gazette, cover school safety, student registration, transfers, attendance, the use of mobile devices, and communication between schools and parents.

The new rules are designed to improve student safety, strengthen attendance monitoring, and modernize school administration. Most of the changes will take effect with the start of the new academic year.

📌 The updated regulations will apply to preschools and primary schools across Türkiye.

🛡️ Enhanced School Safety Measures

One of the most significant changes concerns school security. School administrations will now have broader authority to carry out preventive inspections when approved by the relevant school committee.

Inspections may include:

• Classrooms.
• Dormitories.
• Student desks.
• Lockers.
• Chairs and other areas where prohibited items could be hidden.

All inspections must respect students' rights and dignity. They may only be conducted by deputy principals, members of the student behavior committee, or designated teachers.

Each inspection must be documented in an official report listing the inspected areas and any prohibited items found.

📱 Stricter Rules for Mobile Phones

The Ministry has expanded regulations governing the use of mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices at school.

Violating school rules regarding mobile phones or other electronic devices may now result in disciplinary action.

📝 Student Registration Through e-Okul

Student registration will begin in July and will be carried out entirely through the e-Okul electronic school system.

School placement will be based on each family's registered address in Türkiye's National Address Database, helping to prevent incorrect address declarations during enrollment.

Certain exceptions will apply. Children of fallen soldiers, veterans, war-disabled citizens, and students with special educational needs may enroll in a preferred school regardless of their registered address, provided they submit the required documents.

🔄 Updated School Transfer Rules

Students will be able to transfer schools starting from the first working day after promotion to the next grade until 15 working days before the end of each semester.

The deadline will not apply in cases such as:

• Natural disasters.
• Serious health conditions.
• Family relocation to another province.

Parents will also be allowed to request a transfer if siblings are assigned to different schools due to changes in school districts or the opening of new schools.

🧸 Changes for Preschool Education

The Ministry plans to improve access to preschool education by allowing schools to open preschool classes for children aged 36 to 68 months in areas where no public kindergarten is available.

If enough children aged 36–44 months are enrolled, schools may establish separate groups specifically for younger preschool students.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents Will Join Adaptation Week

Before the start of the school year, schools will organize orientation programs for parents of preschool and first-grade students during the traditional adaptation week.

The initiative aims to help children and their families adjust more easily to the new educational environment.

📊 Stricter Attendance Monitoring

Attendance control will become more rigorous under the new regulations.

Parents will automatically receive notifications after a student accumulates:

• 5 days of unexcused absence.
• 10 days of absence.
• 15 days of absence.

Notifications may be sent by post, SMS, or electronic communication systems.

For students with special educational needs or children under state protection, an additional notification will be issued after 30 days of absence.

If a student records more than 20 days of unexcused absence, the teachers' council may request an official explanation from parents before deciding whether the student can advance to the next grade.

ℹ️ The new regulations are intended to improve school safety, strengthen cooperation with parents, increase student discipline, and continue the digital transformation of Türkiye's education system.

Most of the new school rules will come into force at the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year and will apply nationwide.