Education and schools in Ankara

Schools in Ankara offer education to expat children, who can attend Turkish public schools free of charge. The standard of education varies, and the language of instruction is Turkish. Many expat parents choose private or international schools instead.

Public schools in Ankara

Public schools in Ankara provide compulsory education free of charge for all children. Compulsory education in Turkey lasts 12 years, divided into three stages of four years each. Although the language of instruction is Turkish, all children are required to learn a foreign language – typically English, French, Spanish or German.

The school week runs from Monday to Friday, and the school year stretches from mid-September to mid-June. Public schools in larger cities like Ankara often struggle with overcrowding, sometimes splitting school days into morning and afternoon sessions.

International schools in Ankara

International schools in Ankara cater for various foreign nationalities, with most to be found alongside those in Istanbul. Many of these schools organise outings and cultural activities and offer learners a chance to study Turkish. This helps children assimilate more easily into Turkish culture. Ankara has a large diplomatic community, and international school spaces are quite limited. Expat parents should plan well ahead to make sure their children have a spot when the school term starts.

International school tuition is expensive, and the additional costs of uniforms, textbooks, transport and extracurriculars can build up. Expat parents should budget carefully and, if moving as part of a corporate relocation, try to negotiate an education allowance as part of their relocation package.

Special educational needs in Ankara

Special educational needs in Ankara are addressed through inclusive education policies. The Turkish government aims to keep children with special educational needs in mainstream classes as much as possible. Many international schools in Ankara offer special-needs education, but the type and scope of support vary between schools.

Parents can apply to their local Guidance and Research Centre (Rehberlik ve Araştırma Merkezi, or RAM) with a disability health report if more support is required. Once the child has been tested, the Ministry of Education will fund a portion of the expenses incurred for special education.

Tutors in Ankara

Tutoring in Ankara is common, especially for exam preparation during the run-up to a major national examination. Many school boards organise tutoring and extra classes on premises outside of the school day, often offered by volunteer or trainee teachers. Private tutoring is also available.

Expat parents may consider hiring a Turkish language tutor for their children or for the whole family to smooth their integration into Turkish culture.