Precedent-setting decision from Consumer Arbitration Committee regarding high private school tuition hikes: 29,000 TL to be refunded

In Ankara's Çankaya district, Onuralp Öner, a father whose daughter is entering the second grade of primary school, took the private school's tuition and meal fee hikes to the Çankaya Consumer Arbitration Committee. In his application filed on May 27, 2024, father Öner stated the following:

“When my daughter started the first grade of primary school, I paid a total of 39,760 liras in our contract with the school, consisting of 30,000 liras for tuition and 9,760 TL for meal fees. However, as she moved to the second grade this year, the meal fee was increased to 32,800 TL, and the tuition fee of 62,200 TL was collected from me in advance. Because the tuition fee exceeded the 65 percent limit set by the state and the meal fee was far above the food inflation rate, I am requesting the refund of the price difference with legal interest.”

According to the report by Hürriyet, the private school did not respond to Öner's complaint. On December 4, 2024, the Çankaya Consumer Arbitration Committee found Öner's request justified and accepted it in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Consumers No. 6502.

PRECEDENT-SETTING DECISION ON PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION HIKES

The Arbitration Committee ruled that the price difference of 29,396 liras should be paid to the parent, Onuralp Öner. Having been notified of the decision, Öner is now awaiting the refund. If the private school company does not pay the amount determined by the Çankaya Consumer Arbitration Committee, the decision can be enforced through legal execution. The Consumer Arbitration Committee's decision serves as a precedent for parents with children in private schools.