Ministry of National Education announces equivalence decision for students in foreign schools

The Ministry of National Education (MEB) has launched a new equivalence procedure for students studying in foreign schools that do not have legal status in Turkey and are stated to be operating without authorization.

According to the regulation, an equivalence certificate can be issued for students who wish to leave these schools and transfer to official or private Turkish schools. Applications will be made through the students' parents.

The Ministry announced that applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM on December 31, 2026. It was stated that the decision was taken to ensure that students do not experience interruptions in their access to education and to prevent potential grievances arising from the current situation.

The MEB's regulation does not mean that the foreign schools in question are recognized or that their activities are considered lawful. There will be no change in the status of schools operating without the necessary permits under current legislation.

Previously, equivalence certificates could not be issued to students studying in intermediate grades of unauthorized schools or to those who graduated from these schools.