Mülteci Refugee

Rights
Merkezi Turkey

The Right to Education

for Syrian Refugees and Other Persons
under “Temporary Protection”

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

REFUGEE RIGHTS TURKEY: FREE LEGAL COUNSELLING & ASSISTANCE FOR REFUGEES

Suriye’den Gelen Sığınmacılar ve

“Eğitim Hakkı”

SORULAR & YANITLAR İNGİLİZCE

 I am a refugee from Syria. Do my children
and I have the right to education in Turkey?
Turkey provides temporary protection to Syrian nationals, stateless persons and
refugees arriving from Syria. In order to access education it is critical to complete
your temporary protection registration. Upon completing registration, you will
be given a Temporary Protection Identity Card. This document is free of charge
and includes your Foreigners’ ID Number starting with 99. This number ensures
your access to primary, secondary and higher education as well as to Turkish
language courses and vocational training.

I have a primary school-aged child. How

can I send him/her to school?
As per the current legislation, regardless of their status and gender, all children
have the right to compulsory education in Turkey. Thus, your child is entitled to
access education either in public schools or at temporary education centers.
Compulsory and free education in Turkey is 12 years and comprises three stages:
4 years of primary school (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade), 4 years of
lower-secondary school (5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade), and 4 years of
upper-secondary school (9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade). The language of
instruction in public schools is Turkish.

Temporary education centers, on the other hand, are primary and secondary
education centers run by either non-governmental actors or Syrian refugees
outside the camps or directly by public authorities or international organizations
within the camps. The language of instruction in these centers is usually Arabic
and these centers largely offer a revised version of the Syrian curriculum.
Additionally, temporary education centers operating under the supervision of the
Turkish Ministry of Education also have Turkish language teachers.

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 How can I enroll my child in public school
for compulsory education? Do I have to
pay? Will my child receive a diploma?
You may enroll your child in public schools in your place of residence with your
Temporary Protection Identity Card or with your Foreigners’ ID or if available,
with your residence permit. Enrollment procedures are determined by the
Provincial Education Commission at the province; however, in general it is
important to present documents demonstrating previous school attendance,
certificates or diplomas. If you do not have these documents, the Provincial
Education Commission- and in some provinces, the District Education
Commission- will carry out a grade placement test-either oral or written, or in
some cases both. Following this assessment, your child will be placed in the
appropriate grade level.

A critical reminder is that both you and your child need to complete temporary
protection registration. However, if you have not completed your temporary
protection registration yet or if you do not possess a Temporary Protection
Identity Card, you may still enroll your child in public schools. In the absence of
these documents, your child shall be enrolled, albeit with guest student status. It
is possible to change this guest status upon obtaining your Temporary Protection
Identity Card.

Education is free in all public schools. The language of instruction in public

schools is Turkish and classes are carried out in accordance with Turkish
curriculum. In some temporary education centers, however, tuition fees may be
required.

Students who have successfully fulfilled requirements in public schools are

entitled to receive a diploma. Students in temporary education centers operating
under the supervision of the Ministry of Education are entitled to receive a
certificate upon fulfilling requirements.

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 What is the legal status of Syrian schools in
Turkey?
The education system in Turkey is under the supervision and control of the
Ministry of Education. Regardless of their chosen titles, temporary education
centers or schools which operate without concluding a protocol with the
Ministry of Education do not have a legal status. As such, these informal schools
cannot issue a legally valid certificate and risk closure if they are identified by the
Ministry of Education. Thus, before enrolling your child in a school, it is critical
to learn the legal status of the school and make your decision accordingly.

I want to go to a high school. What should I

do?

Children who have successfully completed 8 years of compulsory education are

entitled to enroll in high schools. It is therefore important to present documents
demonstrating previous school attendance or certificates or diplomas. If you do
not have any of these documents, you must approach the Provincial Education
Commission for grade placement test.

However, if you have completed your high school in temporary education centers
or elsewhere, you are required to take High School Proficiency and Equivalency
Examination for International Students (YÖLYDS). This examination is held
once in a year and sessions are convened in certain provinces.

In order to apply to this examination, you are required to complete your

temporary protection registration and have an up-to-date information on the
Foreign Students Information Operation System (YÖBİS). Those who are
enrolled in public schools or in temporary education centers which have an active
protocol with the Ministry of Education are registered in YÖBİS.

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 If you have completed your compulsory education elsewhere, you must register
with one of temporary education centers operating under the supervision of the
Ministry of Education and obtain a student certificate through YÖBİS.

YÖLYDS applications should be submitted to school administrators. In order to

avoid any problem at this stage, you must present a hardcopy of the student
certificate obtained through YÖBİS, the YÖLDYS application form and your
temporary protection identity card. Please refer to https://yobis.meb.gov.tr/ to
follow up-to-date information & announcements for the examination.

Can persons under temporary protection

enroll in universities in Turkey?
The completion of primary and secondary education in Turkey is the first
requirement for having a higher education. Students who have completed their
education in public schools in Turkey are considered to fulfill this criterion.
However, those who are graduated from institutions in Syria or who completed
their education in temporary education centers are required to take the High
School Proficiency and Equivalency Examination for International Students
(YÖLYDS). Please refer to previous section for detailed information on this
exam.

All foreigners who would like to enroll in universities in Turkey should take the
Examination for Foreign Students (YÖS) organized by universities and pass the
exam. You may also be required to pay an application fee to take this exam. In
addition, universities have the discretion to request additional documents
attesting previous education.

We therefore recommend that you consult with the Foreign Student

Departments or websites of universities to obtain detailed information on
requirements and announcements.

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 I want to learn Turkish. Who can help
me?
All children, young persons and adults who wish to learn Turkish may approach
Public Education Centers (Halk Eğitim Merkezi). These centers provide free
courses and you are required to present your Temporary Protection Identity Card
to register with these centers.

In addition, several civil society organizations also run free Turkish language
courses. You may call us to inquire about the availability of free Turkish language
courses in your province.

I want to receive vocational training.

What are my opportunities?
You may approach Public Education Centers to receive vocational training.
These courses are free. However, it must be noted that each Public Education
Center has the right to determine which course it shall offer in a year and may
open new courses on demand. We therefore recommend that you approach your
local Public Education Center to inquire about the available courses. Please also
note that you shall be required to present your Temporary Protection Identity
Card to benefit from these courses.

There are also other civil society organizations which provide free skills, hobby
and vocational courses. You may call us to inquire about the availability of such
courses in your province.

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 Refugee Rights Turkey- Contact:
Wherever you may be in Turkey, you are welcome to visit our office or get in
touch with us by telephone, fax or email all weekdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00
PM.

Dr. Refik Saydam Cad. Dilber Apt. No: 39 Daire: 11 Kat: 4

Şişhane, Beyoğlu - İstanbul

+90 212 292 48 30

+90 212 292 48 33

info@mhd.org.tr

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 Mülteci Hakları Merkezi
Refugee Rights Turkey

Dr. Refik Saydam Cad. Dilber Apt. No: 39 Daire: 11 Kat: 4

Şişhane, Beyoğlu - İstanbul

+90 212 292 48 30

+90 212 292 48 33

info@mhd.org.tr

www.mhd.org.tr

This resource is produced by Refugee Rights Turkey within the context of a project run
in cooperation with U.S.A. based Refugee Solidarity Network and Dutch Council for
Refugees and supported by US Department of State, Bureau of Population,
Refugees, and Migration.

Refugee
Mülteci
Rights
Merkezi
Turkey

US Department of State
Refugee Rights Turkey Refugee Solidarity Network
Bureau of Population,
Refugees, and Migration