Modern Türkiye places great emphasis on education and young people. It is the only country in the world that has two public holidays with children and youth as central themes.
23rd April: National Sovereignty and Children's Day
(Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı)
marks the foundation date of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in 1920. It is also dedicated to all the children of the world as the founding President, Atatürk, recognized their importance for the future. Traditionally Turkish children sit in parliament on this day for a special session to discuss their issues.
19th May: The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
(Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı)
is an annual Turkish national holiday celebrated on May 19 to commemorate Mustafa Kemal's landing at Samsun on May 19, 1919, which is regarded as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence. It is celebrated as a Festival of Youth and Sports.
Compulsory Education is for 12 years (ages 6 to18) and attendance is high and literacy is almost 100%.
Higher Education is an attractive option for international students in Türkiye. Tuition fees and the cost of living are lower in Türkiye than in most European or American countries, yet the quality of education is high. There are also scholarships available that cover not only tuition fees but accommodation, insurance and travel costs.
Türkiye has a young, dynamic population Young People aged between 15 and 24 make up 15.6 percent of the 82 million people living in Türkiye, the youngest country in Europe. Young Turks are tech savvy and early adopters of technology. The country boasts a wealth of home-grown phone apps and mobile penetration is nearly 94 percent.
Explore some of the unique learning experiences available in Türkiye, the home of countless civilizations and cultures for thousands of years.