Economic barrier to higher education: 878 thousand students dropped out in 3 years

Following the YKS results, 987 thousand people earned the right to enter higher education. Approximately 20 percent of the students who earned this right consisted of those who had previously enrolled in a university at least once. However, the number of students dropping out of university is close to the number of students who earned the right to enroll this year. According to YÖKAK data, 878 thousand 909 students dropped out of university education for various reasons between 2021 and 2023.

The number of students who dropped out of university last year was 149 thousand 909. In 2021, 338 thousand 926 students, and in 2022, 389 thousand 564 students dropped out of university. 

In 2023, Atatürk University in Erzurum topped the list. A total of 12 thousand 276 students left Atatürk University last year. As in the previous two years, the number of students studying in metropolitan cities who dropped out of university last year is also quite high.

COMMON REASON: FUTURE ANXIETY AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

According to the report by Mustafa Kömüş from Birgün, the common reason for students who have dropped out or are considering dropping out of university is future anxiety and economic problems.

Ayşenur Ceylan, who dropped out 5 years ago while studying Italian Language and Literature at Ankara University, said, “I didn't get what I wanted from the school. I couldn't see a future. I thought I would be unemployed when I graduated. That's why I left school. At first, I thought about preparing for university again, but then I started working in the cinema industry. Universities do not offer students enough opportunities in terms of their future.”

Kadir Şenyiğit, a student of Political Science and Public Administration at Ankara University, is among those who dropped out of university this year. Şenyiğit also stated that financial reasons were dominant in his decision to drop out. Stating that he had thought about dropping out before but returned after working at a job and saving money, Şenyiğit said, “You go to school, you can't even buy tea or coffee. You go home, between the rent worries and the bills, your enthusiasm is broken. All my motivation was ruined. I couldn't handle it. Since my father is also retired, we were a bit tight financially. I couldn't ask for much from him either. I could only manage enough to pay my rent, my bills, and buy food for the house. I tried to keep it going somehow. Time is passing, and there are things I want to do.”

PUT HIS KIDNEY UP FOR SALE

Yusuf Öztepeli, a student at İstinye University in Istanbul, put his kidney up for sale. Stating that he was forced into this situation because he could not cover his expenses, Öztepeli, who entered the university under the earthquake survivor quota, also filed an application with the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER).

'I DON'T WANT MY END TO BE SUICIDE'

The following statements were used in the application:

“Greetings, Mr. President. As a 20-year-old young person, this is my last resort. I am working to lighten my family's burden so that my education can continue, but it is not enough. I want to sell my kidney because of my debts, my bills, my expenses, and my food. Please, I am waiting for your help on this matter. I don't want my end to be suicide.”

News Source: 12punto