[REVISION HISTORY]

Back-to-school: rising costs, health, and psychological prep

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What changed

2026-09-30 16:57 UTC → 2026-10-29 01:41 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As the 2026-2027 academic year begins, the transition for students involves complex economic, psychological, and health ~~challenges. Economic~~ challenges globally. In Turkey, economic pressures ~~in Turkey~~ have intensified significantly. While initial estimates placed equipment costs at 2,500 lira, new reports indicate basic stationery for a single student can range from 2,500 to 8,000 TL. Recent data from TÜİK shows education service inflation reached 53.44% annually, far outpacing the general inflation rate of 31.51%. Consequently, the initial cost of starting school can ~~now~~ exceed 81,000 TL, with some total annual expenses surpassing 155,000 TL. This surge is particularly difficult for retirees and low-income ~~families, with some small business owners in the school uniform sector reporting a decline in activity. Newer data highlights the rising cost~~ families. Rising costs of student ~~nutrition.~~ nutrition are also a major concern. The teachers’ union Eğitim-İş reported a 27.67% increase in the monthly cost of a student’s lunch box over the past year, with daily meal costs rising from 1,661.75 TL in September 2025 to 2,121.52 TL in September 2026. ~~The~~ By October 2026, the union ~~warned that rising inflation and a poverty line that reached 123,465 TL for a family of four are making balanced nutrition difficult~~ noted monthly lunchbox costs rose another 6.20% to ~~maintain.~~ 2,147 lira, representing 7.65% of the monthly minimum wage. Eğitim-İş has called on the Ministry of National Education to provide one free healthy meal per day to all students, asserting that “one free meal is a ~~right.”~~ right,” and criticized large budget transfers to the Türkiye Maarif Foundation. Regarding ~~consumer~~ health and safety, ~~legal~~ experts ~~have warned that e-commerce prevents shoppers from inspecting safety marks. Health guidance has also expanded, with~~ emphasize the importance of sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, and ergonomic study environments. In Turkey, the Turkish Pediatric Association ~~advising~~ and other medical professionals have advised on ~~vaccinations~~ vaccinations, hydration, and the dangers of excessively heavy backpacks. Legal experts ~~emphasizing balanced breakfasts, sleep,~~ and ~~hydration to mitigate physical and psychological risks.~~ the Turkish Standards Institute have also warned about consumer safety, particularly regarding uncertified products in e-commerce.

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