Schools closed in many provinces due to storm and snow

As the winter season intensifies, heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions are negatively impacting daily life in various regions of the country. In light of the latest meteorological assessments, it has been decided to suspend education for one day in many provinces on Wednesday, December 31. Statements issued by governor's offices emphasized that the safety of students and staff is being prioritized.

In Kahramanmaraş, it was stated that education in all educational institutions has been suspended for one day due to expected severe weather conditions. The statement from the Governor's Office indicated that pregnant employees, disabled staff, mothers with children in daycare or kindergarten, and personnel with chronic illnesses working in public institutions will also be considered on administrative leave. Citizens were urged to take precautions against icing and frost.

Similarly, in Siirt, due to the expectation of heavy snowfall across the province, educational activities will be suspended on December 31 in both public and private schools, as well as daycares, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. In addition to mothers who are public servants, pregnant and disabled employees will also be considered on administrative leave.

In Bolu, the city center and high-altitude areas have been covered in white following three consecutive days of uninterrupted snowfall. Authorities stated that they are continuing efforts to ensure that the ongoing snowfall does not disrupt transportation. Due to snow depths exceeding 50 centimeters, it was decided to suspend education in schools for another day.

In Kırşehir, education will not be held in schools on December 31 due to adverse weather conditions and the expectation of icing. Disabled and pregnant public employees will be considered on leave during this period.

The Diyarbakır Governor's Office, taking into account meteorological forecasts warning of heavy snowfall, temperature drops, and strong icing, has closed all educational institutions in the province for one day on Wednesday, December 31. The statement included the following: “According to meteorological data, strong and locally heavy snowfall is expected to be effective across our province starting from the morning hours of Wednesday, December 31, with strong icing and frost events expected alongside a significant drop in air temperatures. Considering potential negative outcomes and disruptions, education has been suspended for 1 day in all public and private educational institutions, as well as daycares and nursery schools across the province on Wednesday, December 31. On the same date, disabled and pregnant public personnel will be considered on administrative leave.”

In Karabük, a school holiday has been declared for the third consecutive time due to the ongoing snowfall. The official notification stated that the snowfall continues and the risk of icing persists, announcing that all educational activities will be suspended for one day on December 31.

In Şırnak, it was reported that all educational institutions will be closed on December 31 due to heavy snowfall and icing, and that leave has been granted to disabled, pregnant, and chronically ill public employees.

In Malatya, following the snowfall warning from the Meteorology Department, education has been suspended for one day in all public and private schools, rehabilitation centers, and Quran courses (excluding those for adults). Malatya Governor Seddar Yavuz stated on his social media account: “Due to the heavy snowfall, blizzard, and icing danger expected to be effective in our province, in order to ensure the safety of our citizens, education and training have been suspended for 1 day on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in all public and private formal and non-formal educational institutions, rehabilitation centers, and Quran courses (excluding courses for adults) across our province.”

In Mardin, it was officially announced that education will be suspended on December 31 in all educational institutions across the province due to extreme snow and low temperatures. The Governor's Office stated that all measures have been taken against potential disruptions in transportation.

In Sivas, schools at all levels, private teaching centers, and daycares were closed for one day due to the expectation of heavy snowfall. The Governor's Office stated that the decision was made with the safety of citizens in mind; it was announced that female public personnel would be considered on leave if their children attend daycare, and that necessary assessments would be made by supervisors for units working on a 24-hour basis in the health and security sectors.

In all these provinces, administrative leave rights were extended, particularly to pregnant, disabled, chronically ill, and personnel with small children, in light of meteorological warnings.

In the coming days, as the cold wave continues to have an effect, citizens are advised to follow new announcements from governor's offices and meteorological authorities.