Education in Turkey After Earthquake 2023

In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need about education in Turkey after the earthquake, as we will mention to you the beginning of the repercussions of the earthquake on the educational reality in Turkey.

In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need about education in Turkey after the earthquake, where we will mention the initial repercussions of the earthquake on the educational landscape in Turkey and identify the areas where educational facilities were most affected.

In addition, we will explain the efforts of the Turkish government to restore educational life for students in the affected areas by detailing the measures taken in schools and universities. We will then move on to list the universities that have adopted distance learning as a temporary solution to continue the educational process.

Finally, we will present to you the most important financial scholarships for students affected by the earthquake, as well as answer the most frequently asked questions on this topic.

Skyline Education wishes you an enjoyable read.

How Was Education in Turkey Affected After the 2023 Earthquake?

In February, after two massive earthquakes struck within hours of each other in southern Turkey and left behind extensive destruction that affected entire cities, educational institutions – including schools and universities – suffered significant damage, which disrupted the educational process in Turkey. The Minister of National Education, Mahmut Özer, issued a decision to temporarily suspend classes.

Most Affected Areas:

The number of Turkish provinces affected by the earthquake reached 10, namely: Adana, Diyarbakır, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa.

Procedures Followed for the Return of Education in the Affected Areas:

The Turkish government has exerted, and continues to exert, tremendous efforts to restore the educational process. This has materialized in a series of measures aimed at quickly rehabilitating educational institutions in the affected cities.

For Schools:

The Minister of National Education, Mahmut Özer, issued a decision to extend the winter break by an additional week for students in 71 provinces in Turkey, which was originally scheduled to end in mid-February. As for education in some of the most affected provinces, such as Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Gaziantep, classes resumed in March, and efforts are still underway to rehabilitate schools in all the affected regions in Turkey.

Regarding the handling of students after this disaster, it has been emphasized that psychological care for students is necessary, and that they should be dealt with a high degree of caution, minimizing the chances of provoking anxiety—especially for those who have undergone a painful ordeal and lost a family member.

In addition, efforts are being made to foster empathetic solidarity among students with the victims, while ensuring that students from the affected areas do not feel pitied, but rather that their experiences are treated as challenges that everyone has faced.

For Universities:

Regarding universities, a decision was issued to shift from the traditional face-to-face education system to a distance learning system, with promises to provide exceptional facilities for students who will continue taking their exams.

Which Universities Adopted Distance Learning After the Turkey Earthquake?

The Turkish government's decision to suspend classes in universities and adopt a distance learning system was not limited only to the regions affected by the earthquake; it extended to all universities throughout Turkey during the second semester and even into the summer.

This is due to the use of university dormitories as centers for sheltering survivors of the disaster that struck the southern part of the country.

The Most Important Scholarships for Those Affected by the Turkey Earthquake:

In an effort to support education in Turkey after the earthquake, the Turkish government offered numerous financial scholarships to students affected by the earthquake, covering both school and university students. Among the most important financial and academic scholarships, we mention:

AFKEN holding TİKAV Scholarship: This is a scholarship specifically for university students. To be eligible, the student must be a Turkish citizen whose family resides within the earthquake zone. It also requires that the student continues his or her education at the university and submits a transcript or equivalent document to prove that they have not ceased attending classes or taking exams.
SAMER & ENVER YÜCEL VAKFI Scholarship: This scholarship is available for all educational stages and requires the applicant to state their income level, specify the damage caused by the earthquake, and prove residency in one of the affected areas before February 6.
EĞE ÇAĞDAŞ EĞİTİM VAKIFI Scholarship: This scholarship covers all educational stages and assists students by providing financial support in the form of 550 Turkish Lira per month for university students, 350 Turkish Lira for high school students, and 200 Turkish Lira for elementary school students.
KAHEV Scholarship: This is a scholarship specifically for university students that requires more detailed information. It is linked to the applicant's family, the nature of their employment, and their income, in order to assess the level of need after the earthquake.
Türk Eğitim Vakfı Scholarship: This scholarship is available to Turkish students as well as foreigners who have obtained Turkish citizenship, and it provides a monthly stipend for 4 months. It requires that the student be enrolled in one of Turkey's public universities, residing in one of the 11 affected cities, and that the student has not previously benefited from a scholarship from the Turkish Education Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Education in Turkey After the Earthquake

Search engines have been flooded with many questions regarding the state of education in Turkey following the earthquake disaster, particularly concerning the suspension and subsequent resumption of classes in schools and universities.

- What Are the School Start Dates and Holiday Schedules in Turkey?

The start dates for classes varied from one Turkish province to another. In most provinces, classes resumed on February 20 after the break was extended by a week, while schools in the provinces of Adana, Osmaniye, and Gaziantep opened on March 13, and classes resumed in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş and Hatay on March 27.

Additionally, the semester break for most Turkish schools was scheduled for April 14, and as a result, classes resumed on April 24. By the end of that week, the total duration of the break that students received was 9 days.

- Which Provinces Have Not Yet Resumed Education?

The educational process has resumed in schools in all Turkish provinces except for Antakya, Maraş, and Malatya, as these are considered the most affected by the earthquake disaster. However, efforts are still ongoing to rehabilitate the schools and gradually restore educational life.

- Do the Scholarships Only Cover Those Affected by the Turkey Earthquake?

No, the financial scholarships issued specifically for students affected by the earthquake do not exclude other students; the Turkish government supports students annually with funded scholarships numbering up to 4000, which are available to all students who meet the application criteria.

- Will the Decision to Adopt Distance Learning Affect the Value of Turkish University Degrees?

It cannot be said that distance learning is equivalent to face-to-face education in terms of the benefits it offers. There is no doubt that the decision to adopt distance learning, issued after the earthquake disaster, will negatively affect the quality of education in Turkey, especially since students were recently forced to adopt this system and suspend in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this has not diminished the value of Turkish university degrees, which continue to enjoy global recognition.