What is the latest on private school fees? How much of a hike was there? Parents are in distress...

The registration period for private schools has begun. For intermediate grades, tuition hikes cannot exceed 54.8 percent. There is no legal cap on tuition increases for kindergartens or for the 1st, 5th, and 9th grades. The increase rate for additional services such as tutoring, stationery, and uniforms has been set at 49.8 percent.

According to a report by Ceyda Karaaslan from Sabah, as is the case every year, tuition increases at private schools, which concern the parents of more than 1.6 million students, are back on the agenda in the first days of 2025.

Many parents are complaining about the exorbitant hikes at private schools. Allegations that some schools have increased fees by 2-3 times continue to spread, particularly on social media platforms and WhatsApp groups.

However, most schools have not yet announced their 2025-2026 fees. So, how will the hikes be determined this year? What will happen with meal and transportation fees? How much are the early registration discounts? Here are all the details regarding private school fees in 10 questions:

1 - What is the maximum possible hike rate?

The Ministry of National Education (MEB), with a decision made in August 2023, reinstated the regulation that had been in place 4 years ago. The tuition increase rate will be determined by adding a 5-point inflation share to the figure obtained by adding the previous year's PPI and CPI data and dividing by 2. Accordingly, the ceiling increase rate in private schools cannot exceed 54.8 percent. According to this formula, no hike above this rate can be applied for students who will be in intermediate grades.

2 - Can the rate be rounded up?

No. Schools cannot increase fees above 54.8 percent for intermediate grades. It is not even legally possible to round this rate up to 55 percent. For example, a school that charged 100,000 TL last year can charge a maximum of 154,800 TL for the 2025-2026 period.

3 - How much is the hike for entry-level grades?

On the other hand, the 54.8 percent increase rate applies only to students in intermediate grades. Entry-level grades in educational stages, namely the 1st, 5th, and 9th grades, are not included in this regulation. This is where the highest hikes are being made. It is possible for a high school that charged 300,000-400,000 TL last year to increase its fee 3-4 times for the 2025-2026 year. Some schools' 1st-grade primary school registrations have reached 850,000 TL.

4 - What is the situation in kindergartens?

Private school kindergartens are also exempt from the legal hike rate. Tuition increases in kindergartens can also reach 2-3 times the previous amount. For example, a kindergarten that charged 250,000 TL last year has set its fee for next year at 450,000 TL.

5- Will the MEB take measures against the hikes?

The relevant regulation published by the Ministry of National Education (MEB) last week also included a clause regarding grade transitions (1st, 5th, 9th grades). The phrase "Exorbitant increases cannot be made in tuition fees determined by schools for grade entry levels" was added to the regulation. However, no specific rate is mentioned in the regulation.

6 - How will meal and transportation fees be determined?

This ceiling hike rate does not apply to meals and transportation in private schools. There is no limit on these services. In many schools, meals are mandatory, excluding high school. Meal fees start at 40,000 TL annually. In some schools, the annual meal fee, including VAT, has exceeded 150,000 TL.

7 - What will happen to book and stationery fees?

This year, the MEB has also placed a limit on private schools' services for intermediate grades, such as books, stationery, uniforms, tutoring, dormitories, international diploma and certificate programs, etc. The PPI + CPI/2 formula will be used when determining new fees. This rate is 49.8 percent. On the other hand, this legal limit again does not apply to the schools' 1st, 5th, and 9th grades.

8 - When are the scholarship exams?

During the early registration period, private schools also hold scholarship exams. Some schools held their exams last week. Most schools will hold their exams next week. Depending on the results of the exams, students can win scholarships of up to 100 percent.

9 - How much is the early registration discount?

After private schools determine their 2025-2026 tuition fees, they launch an early registration period between January and April. During this period, they offer discounts of up to 25 percent on the new fee.

10 - By when must the fees be announced?

Schools are required to announce all their fees, excluding transportation services, by the end of May. Registrations for schools that do not announce them will be made according to 2024 fees. Schools will determine the fees they will charge for transportation services within one month at the latest from the date the transportation fee tariffs are determined by the Transportation Coordination Centers (UKOME).