Education suspended in 31 provinces due to snowfall! Are schools closed in Ankara? Here are the provinces and districts where schools are closed for Thursday, February 20...

The snowfall affecting Turkey has negatively impacted life in many cities. Consecutive announcements regarding snow-related school closures have been issued by governorates.

ARE SCHOOLS CLOSED IN ISTANBUL AND ANKARA?

While the General Directorate of Meteorology has issued a yellow code warning for 20 provinces, there is curiosity about whether schools will be closed, particularly in Istanbul and Ankara. In which provinces has education been suspended on Thursday, February 20? Here are the details...

ESKİŞEHİR

Education has been suspended for 1 day in the Mihalıççık district of Eskişehir due to heavy snowfall, icing, and blizzards. The following statement was shared on the Mihalıççık District Governorate's social media account:

"Due to the heavy snowfall, icing, and blizzards in our district, and as a preventive measure against risks and negative conditions that may occur in transportation, it has been decided by the District Public Health Board to suspend education for 1 day for all students in all primary and secondary schools and for all our schools on Thursday, February 20, 2025."

MALATYA

Education has been suspended for 1 day in the Doğanşehir district of Malatya due to heavy snowfall and icing. Doğanşehir District Governor Mehmet Kılıç shared the following on the social media platform X:

"Due to heavy snowfall, blizzards, and the danger of icing, education has been suspended for 1 day in all official and private, formal and non-formal education institutions throughout our district on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Additionally, pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions, as well as personnel with children or chronic illnesses, will be considered on administrative leave on the same day."

ÇORUM

Due to the snowfall in Çorum, education has been suspended for tomorrow in all schools in the Mecitözü district and for bused education in the Alaca district. A written statement from the Mecitözü District Governorate announced that education in official and private educational institutions in the district has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, due to the ongoing heavy snowfall. The statement noted that female personnel with children in daycare or kindergarten, as well as disabled, pregnant, and incapacitated public employees, will be considered on administrative leave. A statement from the Alaca District Governorate also indicated that due to heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions, bused education in the district has been suspended on Thursday, February 20.

SAMSUN

A statement from the Provincial Directorate of National Education indicated that education has been suspended for tomorrow in all official, private, formal, and non-formal education institutions in the Ladik and Asarcık districts due to heavy snowfall, adverse weather conditions, and potential transportation disruptions. The statement also noted that education will not be held tomorrow in some schools with bused education in the Yakakent, Salıpazarı, Ayvacık, Çarşamba, Canik, Tekkeköy, 19 Mayıs, and Alaçam districts, and that the list of these schools can be accessed at "https://samsun.meb.gov.tr".

BURSA

In the İnegöl district of Bursa, bused education has been suspended for one day due to heavy snowfall and the risk of icing. A statement from the İnegöl District Governorate indicated that education for "students using bused education" has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, due to heavy snowfall and the risk of icing.

BİLECİK

A statement from the Bilecik Governorate announced that education has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, in the city center and throughout the Pazaryeri and Bozüyük districts due to heavy snowfall and the risk of extreme icing. The statement also indicated that bused education has been suspended for the same day in the villages of Ağlan, Adliye, Hisarcık, Sarıyazı, Boyunkaya, Oğulpaşa, Avdan, Çiftlik, Belenalan, and Orhaniye in the Osmaneli district. It was noted that disabled, pregnant, and chronically ill personnel working in public institutions, as well as female personnel with children attending kindergarten and daycare, will be considered on administrative leave tomorrow.

ERZURUM

A statement from the Governorate noted that the latest assessments by the Meteorology 12th Regional Directorate indicate that snowfall in the city is expected to intensify in the coming hours. The statement announced that education has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, in all schools in the Aziziye, Palandöken, and Yakutiye districts to prevent negative incidents in transportation and for the safety of students. It was stated that education was suspended in schools in the Çat, Karayazı, Aşkale, Hınıs, and Narman districts on February 20. A post on the İspir District Governorate's social media account reported that education is suspended tomorrow in primary and secondary schools, while statements from the Tortum and Tekman district governorates reported that education is suspended tomorrow in schools throughout their districts. It was also noted that pregnant and disabled public personnel in the specified districts will be considered on administrative leave.

YALOVA

A statement from the Yalova Governorate announced that, in line with the Provincial Public Health decision, education for "students using bused education" has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, in the city center and the Termal, Çiftlikköy, and Altınova districts due to heavy snowfall and the risk of extreme icing. It was also stated that disabled, pregnant, and chronically ill individuals working in public institutions will be on administrative leave tomorrow.

ÇANAKKALE

Bused education has been suspended for one day in the Çan, Yenice, and Biga districts of Çanakkale and the Terzialan town due to adverse weather conditions and the risk of extreme icing. Announcements from the Çan, Yenice, and Biga district governorates stated that, based on the District Public Health decision due to the forecast of heavy snowfall and extreme icing, education for "students using bused education" has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, in the aforementioned districts and the Terzialan town. It was reported that all students outside the bused system will continue their education.

TOKAT

Bused education has been suspended for one day in the Reşadiye district of Tokat due to adverse weather conditions. A statement on the Reşadiye District Governorate's social media account noted that snowfall and icing are affecting the region. The statement recorded that bused education in the city center has been suspended tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions.

SAKARYA

A statement from the Governorate indicated that, according to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, heavy snowfall and icing are expected in the city on Thursday, February 20, and Friday, February 21. The statement announced that to prevent potential negative incidents, education has been suspended on February 20 and 21 in all official and private daycares, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, high schools, vocational training centers, non-formal education institutions, private education courses, and special education rehabilitation centers throughout the province. The statement noted that female personnel with children in daycare or kindergarten, as well as disabled and pregnant public employees, will be considered on administrative leave.

BİTLİS

A statement from the Governorate indicated that the ongoing snowfall in the city is expected to continue throughout the night. The statement reported that education has been suspended on February 20 in all official and private educational institutions throughout the province due to the risk of icing in the morning hours, and noted that disabled and pregnant personnel working in public institutions will be considered on administrative leave.

ARTVİN

It was reported that education has been suspended tomorrow in the Şavşat district of Artvin due to snowfall and the risk of icing. A statement from the Şavşat District Governorate pointed out that snowfall is continuing throughout the district. The statement noted that due to the danger of icing caused by the precipitation, education has been suspended for 1 day. It was stated that disabled and pregnant personnel working in public institutions will be considered on administrative leave on the same day.

KARS

A written statement from the Governorate indicated that, according to the latest assessments by the General Directorate of Meteorology, adverse weather conditions will continue throughout Kars and there will be a danger of icing. The statement included the following: "On Thursday, February 20, education has been suspended for one day in all official and private formal and non-formal education institutions (including Rehabilitation Centers and Quran Courses) throughout our province. Pregnant, disabled, and chronically ill personnel working in public institutions, as well as female personnel with children attending kindergarten and daycare (excluding those whose presence is essential for the institution's operational workflow), will be considered on administrative leave for one day."

TRABZON

All schools in Trabzon have been closed on Thursday, February 20, and Friday, February 21, due to snowfall. A statement from the Trabzon Governorate said, "According to data received from the General Directorate of Meteorology, heavy snowfall and icing are expected throughout our province. Considering the safety of our students and citizens, education has been suspended for 2 days on Thursday, February 20, 2025, and Friday, February 21, 2025, in all educational institutions throughout our province (kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, and high schools, public education courses, and daytime Quran courses). Additionally, disabled individuals, mothers with children under 8, and pregnant personnel working in public institutions will be considered on administrative leave."

AĞRI

Governor Mustafa Koç stated in a post on his social media account that, according to data from the Meteorology 16th Regional Directorate, heavy snowfall and icing are expected throughout the province. For this reason, he announced that education has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, in all schools, daycares, Quran courses, and rehabilitation centers throughout the province, and stated that pregnant and disabled public employees, mothers with children in daycare or kindergarten, and personnel with chronic illnesses will be considered on administrative leave.

VAN

Education has been suspended tomorrow in the Bahçesaray district of Van due to heavy snowfall and icing. A post on the District Governorate's social media account stated that adverse weather conditions continue in the district. The statement, which noted that education has been suspended on February 20 in all educational institutions throughout the district due to heavy snowfall and icing, also recorded that pregnant and disabled public personnel will be considered on administrative leave.

YOZGAT

A written statement from the Governorate indicated that, according to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, the risk of frost and icing is expected to increase in the city. The statement included the following:

"Education has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in all official and private formal and non-formal education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in our city center, special education and rehabilitation centers, private education courses, Quran courses, and daycares serving the personnel of public institutions (excluding daycares belonging to private educational institutions and daycares, play and education houses belonging to local governments)." It was stated that pregnant, disabled, and chronically ill personnel working in public institutions, as well as female personnel with children of kindergarten and daycare age, will be considered on administrative leave on the same day. The statement also noted that separate decisions will be made by authorized boards according to the weather conditions in the districts.

SİVAS

A written statement from the Governorate indicated that, due to the ongoing snowfall and low temperatures throughout the province, severe icing is expected to occur in the city center and districts. The statement, which reported that education has been suspended for one day on Thursday, February 20, by the decision of the Governorate as a precautionary measure against potential negative incidents, primarily transportation disruptions, icing, and frost, noted the following:

"On the day education is suspended in schools, female personnel with children in daycare or kindergarten (the situation of personnel working in health, security, and 24-hour service units will be evaluated by their respective unit heads as required by the service), incapacitated, disabled, severely chronically ill, and pregnant public employees will also be considered on administrative leave."

ARDAHAN

Governor Hayrettin Çiçek stated in a post on his social media account, "Due to heavy snowfall and blizzards, education has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, throughout the Ardahan province, excluding the Posof district." Çiçek also announced that disabled and pregnant public personnel will be on administrative leave on the same day.

ERZİNCAN

Governor Hamza Aydoğdu announced in a post on his social media account that, according to meteorological assessments, education has been suspended for one day in all official and private formal and non-formal education institutions, rehabilitation centers, and Quran courses throughout the city due to the snowfall and adverse weather conditions expected to be effective on Thursday, February 20. Aydoğdu stated that pregnant personnel, disabled employees, mothers with children in daycare or kindergarten, mothers with disabled children, and personnel with chronic illnesses working in public institutions will also be considered on administrative leave.

GİRESUN

Education has also been suspended tomorrow in all schools in Giresun. Governor Mehmet Fatih Serdengeçti stated in a post on his social media account that education has been suspended for one day in all schools tomorrow due to the expected snowfall and the danger of icing in the city. Serdengeçti stated that disabled and pregnant personnel in public institutions will also be considered on administrative leave on the same day.

BAYBURT

A statement from the Bayburt Governorate indicated that heavy snowfall is effective throughout the city. The statement, which reported that icing on roads and transportation disruptions may occur due to the precipitation, announced that education has been suspended tomorrow in official and private educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education throughout the province. The statement noted that disabled and pregnant public employees will also be considered on administrative leave on the same day.

HAKKARİ

A statement on the Governorate's social media account indicated that the ongoing snowfall in the city is expected to intensify tomorrow between 12:00 and 15:00. Emphasizing that avalanches, landslides, frost, and icing may occur due to snowfall and falling temperatures, the statement used the following expression: "On Thursday, February 20, education has been suspended for one day in all official kindergartens, official and private primary schools, secondary schools, secondary education institutions, and rehabilitation centers in Hakkari and all its districts, excluding higher education institutions, private daycares and kindergartens, public education center courses, and guidance and research centers." The statement noted that female employees with children under 8 years old, as well as pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions, will be considered on administrative leave.

GÜMÜŞHANE

A statement from the Gümüşhane Governorate emphasized that, according to the forecasts of the General Directorate of Meteorology, snowfall will continue throughout the city. The statement, which reported that education has been suspended for 1 day in all schools against risks that may occur in transportation, noted that pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions and organizations will also be considered on administrative leave.

MUŞ

A statement from the Governorate indicated that education has been suspended on Thursday, February 20, in all official and private formal and non-formal education institutions (excluding universities) due to the continuation of heavy snowfall and the risk of icing. It was also stated that pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions, as well as female personnel with children attending kindergarten and daycare, will be considered on administrative leave for 1 day.

KOCAELİ

It was announced that education has been suspended on Friday, February 21, following Thursday, February 20, due to the snow expected to be effective in Kocaeli. A written statement from the Kocaeli Governorate included the following: "According to the latest assessments made by the General Directorate of Meteorology, due to the evaluation that adverse weather conditions will continue throughout the Kocaeli province and there will be a danger of icing; education has been suspended for 2 days on Thursday, February 20, 2025, and Friday, February 21, 2025, in all official and private formal and non-formal education institutions (including Rehabilitation centers and Quran Courses) throughout our province. Pregnant, disabled, and chronically ill personnel working in public institutions, as well as our female personnel with children attending kindergarten and daycare (excluding those whose presence is essential for the institution's operational workflow), will be considered on administrative leave for 2 days."

SİİRT

Governor Kemal Kızılkaya announced in a post on his social media account that bused education has been suspended for 1 day in the Baykan, Pervari, and Şirvan districts due to the heavy snowfall and icing expected in the city. In his post, Kızılkaya included the following: "According to data received from the General Directorate of Meteorology, heavy snowfall and icing are expected throughout our province. Due to the danger of heavy snowfall and icing, bused education has been suspended for 1 day on February 20, 2025, in our Baykan, Pervari, and Şirvan districts. I would like to remind our citizens and drivers to hit the road in accordance with weather conditions and that they can reach us 24/7 via the 112 Emergency Call Center in case of any need."

ORDU

A written statement from the Governorate indicated that heavy snowfall continues in the inner parts of the city and there is a risk of frost and icing. It was reported that education has been suspended tomorrow in all schools in the Aybastı, Çamaş, Çatalpınar, Çaybaşı, Gölköy, Gürgentepe, İkizce, Kabadüz, Kabataş, Korgan, Kumru, Mesudiye, and Ulubey districts, and in some schools in the Akkuş, Altınordu, Fatsa, Gülyalı, Perşembe, and Ünye districts. The statement used the following expression: "Pregnant and disabled public officials working in the districts where education is completely suspended, and only in the schools that are closed in places where it is partially suspended, will also be considered on administrative leave on the same day."

MUŞ

Education has been suspended tomorrow throughout the province in Muş due to adverse weather conditions. A statement from the Governorate indicated that, according to the latest meteorological assessment, snowfall is expected to continue in the city. The statement, which reported that education has been suspended tomorrow in all official and private educational institutions throughout the province, excluding universities, due to the danger of icing, also noted that pregnant and disabled individuals working in public institutions, as well as female personnel with children attending kindergarten and daycare, will be considered on administrative leave.

İSTANBUL

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated the following in his announcement: According to data received from the General Directorate of Meteorology, heavy snowfall and icing are expected throughout our province. Considering the safety of our students and citizens, education has been suspended on February 20, 2025, in all educational institutions (kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, and high schools) throughout Istanbul. Additionally, disabled individuals, female employees with children under 8 years old, and pregnant personnel working in public institutions will be considered on administrative leave. I kindly request our citizens to be careful and cautious and not to hit the road with their private vehicles unless necessary.

KIRKLARELİ

Education has been suspended tomorrow in the Vize district of Kırklareli due to heavy snowfall. A statement from the Vize District Governorate indicated that education has been suspended on February 20 in all educational institutions throughout the district due to heavy snowfall and icing. The statement noted that pregnant, disabled, and chronically ill public personnel will also be considered on leave tomorrow.

SNOW HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ANKARA GOVERNORATE

Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin stated on his social media account that the snowfall in Ankara has decreased and reported that there is no need to suspend education. Şahin included the following in his statement:

"As of now, the snowfall in our city has decreased; according to meteorological forecasts, the precipitation is expected to stop as of 24:00. For these reasons, as a result of the evaluation made by our Governorate, there is no need to suspend education for now. We request our vehicle drivers, especially those of service vehicles, to be careful and cautious."