Ministry of National Education initiates action to close thousands of 'underground' courses reported by the public

The Ministry of National Education (MEB) has implemented a series of measures to combat courses operating without a license.

Following reports received via the hotline established to combat 'underground' courses, action has been initiated to close 1,825 unauthorized courses.

The Ministry is conducting its fight against these courses in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior.

In this context, to ensure students and parents do not face any grievances, the list of private courses operating under the MEB has been published at "https://ookgm.meb.gov.tr/kurumlar.php?=kurs", and a "QR code" application has been effectively implemented on institutional signs.

In a letter sent to the provinces on September 1, the Ministry announced that an "Unauthorized Educational Activity Report" link has been created on the General Directorate of Private Educational Institutions' website to utilize technological capabilities in identifying places operating without authorization.

The online hotline created by the Ministry at the web address https://ookgm.meb.gov.tr/izinsizegitim.php has received 1,825 reports. MEB officials have classified these reports.

In this context, instructions have been given to governorates to conduct inspections and investigations regarding places operating without authorization, such as education centers, educational consultancy, career guidance, educational coaching, coaching centers, homework centers or test houses, educational guidance, speech and language disorder centers, speech therapy, stuttering treatment, study centers, and mathematics clubs.

Action has been initiated for governorates to close places that carry out educational activities but have not been issued a business opening and operating license in accordance with the Law on Private Educational Institutions. An administrative fine of 20 times the gross minimum wage is imposed on those who establish or operate these places.

INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED REGULARLY

Ministry officials regularly evaluate the information and reports received on the subject and maintain strong communication with the provinces where unauthorized places are located regarding the necessary actions to be taken.

Monitoring and coordination commissions established in the governorates evaluate the reports and conduct the necessary inspections and investigations. Findings are regularly sent to the Ministry of National Education.

QR CODE APPLICATION

The Ministry of National Education had granted private educational institutions until Monday, September 18, to display QR codes on signs at their entrances.

While inspections regarding the QR code application have been accelerated, administrative proceedings have been initiated against institutions that did not transition to the QR code application by this date.

The QR code application contains information regarding the name of the private educational institution, institution code, type, opening date, address, address code, founder, building capacity, program types and quotas applied, and fees; citizens can verify whether the course is authorized by the Ministry by scanning the QR code.