Is the mid-term break being abolished? Adding it to the summer holiday is on the agenda

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin made important assessments regarding the education agenda. He responded to questions that have been a matter of public curiosity, particularly regarding the provision of school security and the future of the mid-term break.

NEW MEASURES COMING FOR SCHOOL SECURITY

Following the recent school attack in Kahramanmaraş, it was announced that the Ministry of National Education is reviewing its practices regarding school security and that new measures will be taken. Minister Tekin emphasized that additional measures will be implemented at the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. Regarding the assignment of law enforcement officers to schools, Tekin stated that this practice is only a temporary solution.

"Whatever it is called, school police or another name. If there is to be a police officer, we advocate for this officer to be selected from individuals trained in these matters in terms of their formation and for a different staff position to be created," he said, drawing attention to the need for trained personnel suitable for this field.

ADDING THE MID-TERM BREAK TO THE SUMMER HOLIDAY IS ON THE AGENDA

Another change that concerns students and parents as of 2026 is on the agenda. It is planned to abolish the mid-term breaks implemented to date and add these periods to the summer holiday. Minister Tekin stated, "When we abolish those mid-term breaks, our children's educational life will not be extended by two weeks. We will have started the school year a little later in September and ended it a little earlier in June, and thus our students will have had a longer holiday," noting that the change will offer students the opportunity for a longer summer break.

DEBATE ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION DURATION CONTINUES

Making assessments regarding the shortening of the duration of education, Tekin said, "The subject is controversial." He argued that the compulsory education age should be reviewed in light of international indicators. Tekin expressed his desire to prevent children's educational lives from being unnecessarily extended until the age of 25.

Minister Tekin also touched upon the high prices in private schools. He stated that there are 82 schools across Turkey that charge fees exceeding 1 million liras and that these schools offer different facilities. However, he conveyed that as a Ministry, they have made regulations to ensure that price increases do not exceed inflation.

RECENT SCHOOL ATTACKS

The series of attacks in schools in Turkey continues to draw attention. In April, 16 people were injured as a result of an attack carried out by a student at a high school in the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa, and the attacker committed suicide with the same weapon. In the incident carried out by an 8th-grade student at Ayser Çalık Secondary School in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, one teacher and eight students lost their lives. The Ministry is preparing to take new measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.