Communiqué Regarding the Amendment to the Regulation on Private Education Institutions
COMMUNIQUÉ REGARDING THE AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATION ON PRIVATE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Introduction
With the “Communiqué on the Amendment of the Regulation on Private Education Institutions of the Ministry of National Education” (the Communiqué) published in the Official Gazette dated 11 July 2025, various regulations, including deadlines related to certain procedures and transactions, have been introduced and entered into force.
Biometric Identity Verification System
This system is defined as a biometric identity verification system determined by the Ministry in accordance with set standards, aimed at ensuring attendance tracking of individuals receiving education and staff members working in private education schools, rehabilitation units, and centers.
Enrollment in Private Education and Rehabilitation Centers
The documents required for those who will receive support education within the scope of Decree Law No. 652 are divided into two groups:
- Those whose fees are covered by the Ministry: A special education assessment board report containing a Turkish Republic identity number and an education plan, if available the individual’s past education and IEP files and activity samples, a biometric photograph taken within the last 6 months, a consent form from the parent/guardian for individuals with intellectual disabilities and those under 18 years of age, and a biometric identity verification consent form.
- Turkish Republic citizens or foreign nationals who cover their own fees: Turkish Republic identity number, foreign identity number, notarized passport translation or temporary protection identity document, if available past education and activity documents, a biometric photograph taken within the last 6 months, and a consent form from the parent/guardian for individuals with intellectual disabilities and those under 18 years of age.
Fees for Individuals with Disabilities
In cases where individuals with disabilities cover their education expenses themselves or through their parents or guardians, the fees shall be determined and announced in accordance with the provisions of the Communiqué, and lesson information shall be recorded in the Special Education Module. The same provisions shall apply to lesson fee refund procedures other than those specified in Article 22/2 of the Communiqué, and no additional fee shall be charged for assessment tools used during enrollment.
Individuals with Disabilities to Be Educated Free of Charge
Individuals to be educated free of charge shall be selected from among those receiving support education within the scope of Decree Law No. 652.
Support Education Planning and Compensatory Education
Education sessions that could not be conducted due to natural disasters, or holiday decisions taken by the Ministry, governorates, or district governorships, or due to individuals with special education needs not attending the institution, shall be compensated within “twenty-four months” instead of “the following months”. If compensatory education is conducted within the same month, it shall be planned so as not to exceed the limits of “12 hours of individual and/or 4 hours of group education instead of 8 hours of individual and/or 4 hours of group education.”
In addition, valid and reliable assessment tools for individuals whose education expenses are covered by themselves or their parents/guardians shall be applied by educational personnel who are competent in using such tools and who can document this competence, and assessment results shall not be shared with third parties. Support education planning for these individuals shall be carried out by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) unit, taking into account the results of the assessment tools applied during enrollment.
Daily Working Hours and Attendance–Absence Tracking
Attendance tracking of individuals with special education needs and staff members, as well as entry–exit records, shall be carried out through camera-based imaging systems that clearly show faces and can record for at least 90 days retrospectively, together with the biometric identity verification system.
All necessary measures shall be taken to ensure the uninterrupted operation of camera and biometric systems, a daily signed checklist shall be maintained, and external or cloud-based storage systems shall be used to prevent data loss.
For individuals receiving home-based support education, it has become mandatory to prepare a monthly work schedule, record this schedule in the Special Education Module, and refrain from making intra-day changes. It has been stipulated that camera-based imaging and biometric verification shall not be required for home-based support education. In addition, it has been made mandatory for the Individualized Education, Work, and Rehabilitation Plan to be signed by the individual/parent/guardian, educational personnel, and the institution director.
Evaluation of the Success of Individuals with Special Education Needs
Monitoring and evaluation of individuals who cover their own education expenses shall be carried out by the IEP unit, and if deemed necessary, evaluation shall be conducted by persons assigned by the provincial directorate of national education.
Inspection, Investigation, and Supervision
At least 90 days of camera records and biometric data shall be required; in cases of inconsistency between camera, biometric, and Special Education Module records, procedures shall be carried out pursuant to Article 43 of Decree Law No. 652. Home-based support education shall be inspected at least four times a year.
Registers and Files to Be Maintained
A checklist confirming the proper operation of the camera-based imaging system and biometric identity verification system, as well as the informed consent form, have been made mandatory.
Payment Conditions
In order for support education expenses to be covered by the Ministry, attendance tracking of the individual and educational personnel must have been conducted through the Biometric Identity Verification System (BIVS). No payments shall be made to institutions that do not meet these conditions.
Documents Forming the Basis for Payment
A regulation has been added regarding the verification of education through camera records on days when biometric verification cannot be performed.
Other
The annexes of the Communiqué have been updated, and it has been stated that the Communiqué shall enter into force on 1 December 2025 and its provisions shall be executed by the Minister of National Education.
Conclusion
With this Communiqué, biometric identity verification and camera-based imaging systems have been clarified; attendance tracking, compensatory education, inspection, and payment processes have been regulated in detail; and transparency and uniformity of practice in private education institutions have been aimed.
Sincerely,
Atabay Law Office