Organisation of the education system in Turkey 2009/2010 TR European Commission EURYBASE TURKEY 1. Political, Social and Economic Background and Trends ...............................................10 1.1. Historical Overview........................................................................................................................ 10 1.1.1. Political and Social Evolutions ............................................................................................... 10 1.1.2. Economic Developments ...................................................................................................... 12 1.2. Main Executive and Legislative Bodies............................................................................................ 13 1.2.1. The Legislative Body: Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) .......................................... 13 1.2.2. The Executive Body and its Functions .................................................................................... 13 1.2.3. Jurisdiction and Bodies ......................................................................................................... 15 1.3. Religions ....................................................................................................................................... 16 1.4. Official and Minority Languages ..................................................................................................... 17 1.5. Demographic Situation.................................................................................................................. 18 1.6. Economic Situation........................................................................................................................ 19 1.6.1. Inflation ............................................................................................................................... 19 1.6.2. Growth ................................................................................................................................ 20 1.6.3. Foreign Trade (Current Account) ........................................................................................... 20 1.6.4. Labour Market, Employment and Unemployment.................................................................. 20 1.7. Statistics........................................................................................................................................ 21 1.7.1. Population Statistics ............................................................................................................. 21 1.7.2. Demografic Indicators .......................................................................................................... 22 1.7.3. Migration Statistics............................................................................................................... 23 1.7.4. Employment and Unemployment ......................................................................................... 25 1.7.5. Basic Economic Indicators..................................................................................................... 26 2. General Organisation of the Education System and Administration of Education..........27 2.1. Historical Overview........................................................................................................................ 27 2.1.1. A Brief Glance to Pre-Republican Period (Ottoman Era)........................................................... 27 2.1.2. Developments in Education During Republican Era................................................................ 28 2.2. Ongoing Debates and Future Developments .................................................................................. 32 2.3. Fundamental Principles and Basic Legislation ................................................................................. 35 2.4. General Structure and Defining Moments in Educational Guidance.................................................. 37 2.4.1. Pre-school Education............................................................................................................ 37 2.4.2. Primary Education ................................................................................................................ 38 2.4.3. Secondary Education............................................................................................................ 39 2.4.4. Transition from Primary to Secondary Education.................................................................... 43 2.4.5. Tertiary education ................................................................................................................ 43 2.4.6. Transition from Secondary Education to Tertiary Education.................................................... 44 2.4.7. Continuing Education........................................................................................................... 46 2.4.8. Basic Structure of the Educational System ............................................................................. 46 2.5. Compulsory Education................................................................................................................... 47 2.6. General Administration.................................................................................................................. 47 2.6.1. General Administration at National Level............................................................................... 48 2.6.2. General Administration at Regional Level .............................................................................. 55 2.6.3. General Administration at Local Level.................................................................................... 55 2.6.4. Educational Institutions, Administration, Management .......................................................... 57 2.7. Internal and External Consultation.................................................................................................. 64 2.7.1. Internal Consultation ............................................................................................................ 65 2.7.2. Consultation Involving Players in Society at large................................................................... 68 1 EURYBASE TURKEY 2.8. Methods of Financing Education .................................................................................................... 70 2.9. Statistics........................................................................................................................................ 71 2.9.1. Public Education Expenditures (1000 YTL) ............................................................................. 71 2.9.2. Shares of Private Education Institutions ................................................................................. 72 2.9.3. Educational Expenditures according to Financing Sources (2002) ........................................... 73 2.9.4. Overall (Public+private) Educational Expenditures according to Type of Services Offered (2002; YTL).............................................................................................................................................. 73 2.9.5. Educational Expenditures Per Student (2002)......................................................................... 74 3. Pre-Primary Education..............................................................................................76 3.1. Historical Overview........................................................................................................................ 76 3.2. Ongoing Debates and Future Developments .................................................................................. 77 3.3. Specific Legislative Framework....................................................................................................... 78 3.4. General Objectives......................................................................................................................... 79 3.5. Geographical Accessibility.............................................................................................................. 80 3.6. Admission Requirements and Choice of Institution/Centre .............................................................. 80 3.7. Financial Support for Pupils' Families.............................................................................................. 81 3.8. Age Levels and Grouping of Children.............................................................................................. 83 3.9. Organisation of Time ..................................................................................................................... 83 3.9.1. Organisation of School Year .................................................................................................. 83 3.9.2. Weekly and Daily Timetable .................................................................................................. 84 3.10. Curriculum, Types of Activity, Number of Hours............................................................................. 85 3.11. Teaching Methods and Materials .................................................................................................. 86 3.12. Evaluation of Children.................................................................................................................. 87 3.13. Support Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 87 3.14. Private Sector