Structure of the Chapter

This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of national education reforms and policy developments between 2023 and 2025. These reforms and policies are presented according to the following levels and thematic domains:

• Early childhood education and care
• General school education
• Vocational education and training
• Higher education
• Adult education and training.

Within each thematic domain, reforms are organized chronologically, starting with the most recent initiatives. The content, purpose, and implementation of the reforms are described on the basis of official documents and practices that reflect the national priorities of the education system.

General Education Strategy and Key Objectives

In the Twelfth Development Plan (2024–2028) and the 2025 Presidential Annual Program, the objectives of education are defined as follows:

On the basis of the principle of inclusiveness, ensuring that all individuals have equitable access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities; developing their academic, social, and vocational skills in accordance with international standards; and enabling them to acquire competencies in analytical thinking, financial literacy, collaborative work, and leadership. A fundamental aim is to raise individuals who internalize national, spiritual, moral, humanistic, and social values, and who act with a strong sense of responsibility towards their families and communities.

It is also an objective to identify individuals’ abilities and capacities at an early age and guide them towards areas in which they can develop appropriate competencies in science, technology, and vocational career pathways. Furthermore, by taking into account their personal interests and fostering competencies in culture, arts, sports, and languages, the aim is to ensure that young people gain skills in specific fields at an early age and take part in the division of labor as productive and socially engaged citizens.

In this context, the 2025–2026 Presidential Annual Program has been prepared for the implementation of the Twelfth Development Plan (2024–2028). Under the responsibility of the Ministry, there are sixty-seven (67) measures and one hundred and two (102) corresponding activities. The activities to be carried out under the auspices of the Ministry in the 2026 Program primarily aim to enhance the quality of vocational and technical education through cooperation with the private sector and to develop programs aligned with sectoral needs. The Program also envisages increasing access to and quality of pre-primary education; providing inclusive and high-quality educational services in all schools to reduce achievement gaps; and expanding opportunities for individuals with special educational needs. In addition, the Program focuses on establishing qualification-based and AI-supported new assessment and evaluation systems; supporting the professional development of teachers and education administrators; expanding the use of technology and fiber-optic infrastructure in education; protecting children from cyberbullying and harmful habits; and increasing cultural, artistic, scientific, and sports activities. In addition to these high-level policy documents, the Ministry of National Education’s Strategic Plan (2024–2028) is one of the key policy documents defining the Ministry’s core objectives, targets, and priorities.

The Strategic Plan, published in January 2024, focuses on strengthening access to and equity in education in order to advance the goals of the “Century of Türkiye”; providing multidimensional support for the professional and personal development of teachers; enhancing skill- and process-oriented assessment and evaluation mechanisms; continuously updating curricula to meet contemporary needs while reflecting our traditional cultural heritage; expanding international and overseas education cooperation; strengthening vocational education; and preserving national and moral values. The Ministry of National Education’s Strategic Plan for 2024–2028 includes 7 objectives, 33 targets, 130 performance indicators, and 147 strategies. Within the plan, five-year targets are defined under each objective, accompanied by performance indicators for measuring progress and strategies outlining concrete steps for achieving those targets. According to the Strategic Plan, the mission of the Turkish National Education System is defined as follows: With our qualified education workforce, to raise healthy generations - committed to national, moral, and cultural values - through a new education system that supports individuals’ cognitive, physical, social, and Turkish language development; aligns with the standards of international programs; takes all differences into account; meets the country’s labor-force needs; and measures learners’ competencies.”
Its vision is defined as: “To raise generations that will build the Century of Türkiye, on a path from independence to future.”

Policies and Measures in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Program

The policies and measures related to the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Program concentrate on two main axes: supporting growth in education and enhancing employability. Under the growth target, the Program envisions improving curricula and infrastructure at all levels of education through digital transformation and establishing a process-oriented, competency-based digital assessment and evaluation system. In addition, it aims to encourage upper secondary students to enroll in vocational training centers to acquire practical skills; facilitate access to quality pre-primary education; and develop early-age talent and capacity identification programs that guide students toward science, technology, and vocational career pathways. Vocational interest inventories to be developed at the lower secondary and upper secondary levels also aim to guide students toward suitable career paths.

As part of the employability target, higher education quotas will be further aligned with labor-market needs; the development of human capital in strategic areas such as defense industry, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity will be supported; and qualified researchers abroad will receive incentives. Vocational and technical education is prioritized through curriculum updates in collaboration with the private sector, expanded internship and on-the-job training opportunities, content modernization aligned with technological advances (particularly artificial intelligence), and strengthened infrastructure. A graduate tracking system will be established to analyze workforce performance; access to vocational education for students with special educational needs will be expanded; and participation in lifelong learning will be increased through an active-aging approach. The National Qualifications System will be further integrated; new qualifications in digital and green skills will be developed; a micro-credential framework will be introduced; and rapid-training modules will be implemented in critical areas such as artificial intelligence. Within the Public Finance axis, while financial management and internal-control practices in public institutions will be enhanced, structures that deliver public services - especially education and health - will be reinforced to strengthen disaster and emergency preparedness.

The Vocational and Technical Education Policy Document aims to improve the quality of vocational education and strengthen educational processes through sectoral collaboration. Partnerships with the private sector will be expanded to update curricula, broaden internship and on-the-job training programs, and ensure graduates’ transition into employment, thereby increasing private-sector participation in vocational education. A graduate tracking system will also be established to analyze labor-market performance and share results with stakeholders. Participation in lifelong learning will be expanded, and vocational training initiatives will be developed to support the employment of social-assistance beneficiaries. To internationalize vocational education, a center attracting foreign investors and qualified labor will be established. Overall, the document aims to contribute to national development by expanding access to vocational education