TİHEK rulings on autism discrimination in Turkish schools

The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (TİHEK) has issued administrative fines against educational entities following investigations into the treatment of students with autism spectrum disorder.

In July 2026, TİHEK fined Pursaklar Sınav Koleji in Ankara 150,000 Turkish lira for discriminating against an elementary student. The investigation found the school barred the child and his shadow teacher, refused to renew registration, and failed to provide an individualized education program. The institution also back-dated attendance entries on an AI-based platform and omitted absences from the e-School system.

In August 2026, TİHEK imposed a fine of 17,052 Turkish lira on a district national education directorate. This investigation followed a complaint regarding a student with a 90 percent disability. While allegations of physical violence by teachers were not prosecuted due to lack of evidence, TİHEK ruled that the use of a ‘penalty corner’ to isolate students was pedagogically unsound for children with autism. The institution concluded that this practice, alongside inadequate guidance services, constituted discrimination based on disability.