School traffic in Istanbul: 20 million students return to class

Approximately 20 million students and 1 million 200 thousand teachers in primary and secondary education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education (MEB) have returned to class following the first mid-term break. After the break, traffic density increased on main arteries and bridges in Istanbul. Particularly during the transition from the Anatolian Side to the European Side, heavy traffic was observed on the D-100 highway and the TEM Motorway, while disruptions in transportation were seen in various parts of Istanbul. The density of school buses also affected daily traffic, leading to congestion during morning hours. When is the semester break? When will schools close? Here are all the details...

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School traffic in Istanbul: 20 million students return to class

According to the MEB calendar, the first mid-term break this year was implemented from November 11-15. During these dates, teachers completed their professional development seminars online without going to school.

As of today, following the mid-term break, the first school bell has rung for approximately 20 million students and 1 million 200 thousand teachers.

WHEN IS THE SEMESTER BREAK? WHEN WILL SCHOOLS CLOSE?

The first term of the 2024-2025 academic year will end on Friday, January 17, 2025. The semester break will begin on Monday, January 20, 2025, and end on Friday, January 31, 2025. The second term will begin on Monday, February 3, 2025. The second term mid-term break will begin on Monday, March 31, 2025, and end on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The academic year, which began on September 9, will be completed on June 20, 2025.

TRAFFIC DENSITY INCREASED

On the Anatolian Side, traffic is heavy in both directions on the D-100 highway between Kartal and Kadıköy.

Traffic is moving slowly on the TEM Motorway in the Edirne direction between Sancaktepe and Ataşehir, and in the Ataşehir area in the Ankara direction, while there are disruptions in transportation at the Samandıra Tolls due to road work.

Vehicles are struggling to move during the transition from the Anatolian Side to the European Side on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the Eurasia Tunnel, and connecting roads.

On the European Side, traffic density has occurred on the D-100 highway in the Kadıköy direction in Avcılar, Bakırköy, Edirnekapı, the Haliç Bridge, Halıcıoğlu, and Çağlayan, while traffic is flowing smoothly in the Avcılar direction.