Turkey's Human Rights Body Fines Private School for Discriminating Against Autistic Student

Turkey's Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK) ruled that Pursaklar Sınav Koleji in Ankara discriminated against an elementary student with autism spectrum disorder. The school barred the child and his shadow teacher from attending, refused to renew registration for the 2024‑2025 school year, and failed to provide an individualized education program despite a report from the Guidance and Research Center (RAM).

During TİHEK's investigation, the Ministry of National Education and the district education directorate were consulted, and digital platform records were examined. The school was found to have back‑dated attendance entries on an AI‑based education platform and to have omitted the student’s absences from the e‑School system, citing "workload" as a reason.

TİHEK concluded that the school violated the prohibition on discrimination based on disability and imposed an administrative fine of 150,000 Turkish lira on the institution, a decision adopted by majority vote.