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Türkiye has announced the maximum fee increases that private schools can apply for the 2026–2027 academic year, setting clear limits for tuition and other education-related charges.
The decision affects families with children enrolled in private kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools, and high schools. The caps were calculated using official 2025 inflation data and were confirmed after the release of December figures by the Turkish Statistical Institute.
According to the new framework, private schools will not be allowed to exceed the legally defined rates under any category.
The upper limits vary depending on the grade level and whether a student is entering a new education stage or continuing at the same school.
These limits were calculated using the average of the annual Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index figures, multiplied by a coefficient set under current regulations. In 2025, annual inflation was recorded at 30.89%, while the Producer Price Index stood at 27.67%.
Education-related services outside tuition are subject to separate limits. Charges excluding meals, transportation, and breakfast cannot rise by more than 29.28% for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Private schools are legally barred from exceeding these ceilings.
The fee limits apply directly to tuition and most education services but some items are treated differently under the regulations.
Here is how the framework applies in practice:
Families are advised to review contracts carefully, especially for bundled services that may be listed outside the core tuition fee.
The changes have not gone uncontested. The Turkish Private Schools Association (TOZOK) has filed a case at the Council of State against the Ministry of National Education.
The association argues that the new calculation method relies too heavily on December inflation figures rather than a full-year average, which they say may create financial strain for schools.
The regulation in question was amended roughly three months ago by the Ministry of Education, introducing the current formula and extending price caps to entry-level grades for the first time.
In a related but separate development, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced an increase in state-funded student scholarships and education loans.
The monthly amounts were raised by 33%, bringing payments to:
The Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed that the updated payments would begin on Jan. 6 and be deposited into student accounts through Ziraat Bank over the following days, based on national ID numbers.
Private schools are expected to announce their updated fee schedules in the coming months as enrollment periods approach. Under current rules, schools must comply with the published caps and clearly itemize tuition and additional services in contracts.
Families with children enrolled in private education are advised to monitor official announcements and review school communications carefully before renewing or signing new agreements for the 2026–2027 academic year.
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