Saadet Party highlights rising education costs in Turkey

The Saadet Party has released a report addressing the increasing financial burden of education on Turkish families. According to the party, while education is constitutionally mandated to be free, the costs of stationery, school uniforms, transportation, nutrition, and supplementary resources create significant economic strain.

Research cited in the report indicates that for the 2026–2027 academic year, the cost of stationery and school uniforms alone is expected to exceed 22,000 lira. When transportation expenses are included, the total can reach 77,000 lira, an amount roughly equivalent to three months of minimum wage income.

The report also highlights food insecurity among students, noting that 31 percent of students attend school without breakfast and 19.2 percent have gone at least one day without food in the past month due to financial constraints. The party emphasized that these economic pressures affect children's social lives and psychological well-being, calling for greater equality of opportunity in education.