The 36 percent ceiling increase limit, which was brought together with the ceiling hike decision for private schools by the Ministry of National Education (MEB) last year, continues to increase as the announced inflation figures continue to rise. Özgür Özkan, President of the Private School Parents Platform, drew attention to the fact that the ceiling increase rate could be 92 percent next year if inflation continues at these rates.
Last year, the Ministry of National Education put into effect the change regarding the price hike rates of private schools with the decision taken. With the application, the maximum rate of increase in education fees for the 2022-2023 academic year was determined as 36 percent. Pointing out that the average of annual inflation is taken in the formula that enables the calculation of the raise rates, Private School Parents Platform President Özgür Özkan pointed out that if the inflation data announced yesterday continues similarly, the rate of increase in private schools may reach 92 percent next year.
“NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR PARENTS TO PAY PRIVATE SCHOOL FEES”
Pointing out that the formula for calculating the increase in private school prices has been changed with the complaints to the Ministry of National Education and the increases in inflation, Özkan stated that the continuation of the announced inflation data will put the parents in a difficult situation and said, “According to the announced inflation figures, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 59,91 percent and Domestic Producer Price Index (D-PPI), on the other hand, was 114,02 percent. When calculated according to these rates, the private school ceiling price increases of 92 percent for the next year. When we add to this the increase in the additional services required by the parents as a condition of registration by violating the regulation of private schools, it will be impossible for parents to pay the fees for private schools next year.”
“A PARENT WHO REGISTERED FOR 50K TL THIS YEAR MAY HAVE TO PAY 125K TL FOR THE NEXT YEAR”
Pointing out that in addition to the possibility that the ceiling increase rate will be 92 percent, the exorbitant hike rates will make private schools can also benefit from ancillary services and it could be a very serious increase compared to this year, Özkan said, “If the ceiling raise is 92 percent, the number that parents will have to pay will be 150 percent higher this year, as schools will increase additional services by at least 100-150 percent. A parent who has registered for 50K Turkish Liras (TL) this year, including education and additional services, may have to pay a fee of 125K TL, and a parent who registers for 100K TL may have to pay a fee of close to 250K TL.”
PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT TO THE CONSCIENCE OF INSTITUTIONS
Underlining that the raise rates arising from the applied formula are higher than the salary increases of the parents, Özkan called for a change in the formula and said, “When determining the ceiling raise, the annual average CPI must be taken as a basis. It should be prevented that private institutions make the subject of additional services obligatory in violation of the regulation. Some schools both impose additional services as obligatory, and they make exorbitant rises as they can due to obligation for parents to pay for additional services. Parents should not be left at the mercy of private schools and this abuse should be prevented immediately.”