Admission of Turkish students to three German schools halted

Following the French schools, the German Foreign Ministry has issued a statement regarding the announcement that the Ernst-Reuter School, affiliated with the German Embassy in Ankara, has also stopped admitting Turkish students this week.

Providing information to DW Turkish, the ministry stated that the decision affects students with Turkish citizenship who wish to enroll in the Ernst-Reuter School in Ankara and its two branches in Izmir and Istanbul for the 2024/25 academic year. The statement noted that Turkish citizens already attending these schools are exempt from the policy. Sources from the German Foreign Ministry also emphasized that they are in contact with Turkish authorities regarding the matter.

According to this statement, in addition to the Ernst-Reuter School, the admission of Turkish students to two private schools affiliated with the German Embassy in Izmir and Ankara has also been halted. Other German schools in Turkey are not affected by the decision.

WHAT HAPPENED

The Charles de Gaulle and Pierre Loti high schools, affiliated with the French Embassy in Turkey, had also previously announced that they had stopped admitting students with Turkish citizenship.

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin had stated in his remarks regarding foreign schools in Turkey that they were in dialogue with the relevant parties.

Tekin said, "Under normal circumstances, these schools do not have a place in our legislation. Therefore, if they comply with our regulations, they will continue their education. If they do not, they are considered non-existent." Noting that "an international agreement must be reached for these schools to attain legal status," Tekin expressed hope that they could reach a common ground with the respective countries to ensure the continued existence of the 12 schools he described as lacking a "legal basis." Minister Tekin stated that negotiations are currently ongoing with France and Pakistan.

Following a status dispute between the Ministry of National Education (MEB) and the French schools "Charles de Gaulle" and "Pierre Loti" operating in Turkey, it was announced that these schools would not be able to accept Turkish students in the upcoming academic year.

'REGISTRATIONS OF THOSE HOLDING TURKISH PASSPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED'

Similarly, the German school Ernst-Reuter in Ankara announced this week that, following a warning from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, they will not be able to accept registrations from those holding Turkish passports, including dual citizens, until further notice.

In a statement released by the Ernst-Reuter School, it was stated: "We regret to inform you that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a note prohibiting us from admitting new students with Turkish passports (including dual nationals) to the Ernst Reuter School in Ankara, including kindergarten, for the 2024/2025 academic year until further notice."

There are a total of six German schools operating in Turkey: the Ernst-Reuter Schule in Ankara, the German Embassy Private School in Istanbul, the Private German High School, Istanbul High School (İstanbul Erkek Lisesi), IELEV Private High School, and the German Embassy Private School in Izmir.

News Source: 12punto