Controversial private school statement from Yusuf Tekin! 'Don't overreact'

As the 2025-2026 academic year begins, school fees have once again become the hottest topic on the agenda. While the high hikes in annual private school fees have drawn reactions from parents, the demand for money under the guise of 'donations' during registration in public schools has also led to debates.

CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT FROM MINISTER TEKİN

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin addressed the debates regarding school prices during a live broadcast he attended. Addressing parents, Tekin said, "A parent says, 'I want to have the same social status as a parent who pays 1.5 million TL to educate their child, and I will send my child there too.' I respect that, but after sending them, there is no need to overreact by saying, 'Is there such a thing as a 1.5 million TL school?'"

"THERE ARE SCHOOLS UNDER 600,000 TL"

Minister Tekin argued that private school fees are not as high as claimed, stating the following: "Look, my dear friend, you are not obligated to send your child to a private school. If you do, 90% of our private schools are under 600,000 TL. That is, below the figure considered reasonable by the public. You can choose from those."

PARENTS' REACTION

The Minister's statements have sparked debate in the public eye. Parents state that in addition to the hikes in private schools, the 'donation' practices in public schools are also putting them in a difficult position. The levels that education expenses have reached are among the most discussed topics in the new term.