Rising Costs and Limits on Student Fees Create Difficulties in the Education Sector

Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry Professional Committee Member Tuba Demirkıran met with Chairman of the Board of Directors İdris Alan and conveyed the problems of the private education sector.

The lack of support programmes despite rising costs is putting the sector in difficulty.

Making statements following the meeting, Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman of the Board of Directors İdris Alan said: “The education sector is going through a period in which teacher and staff costs are rising rapidly. However, keeping student enrolment fees limited causes various difficulties in the sector. The rising costs of publication support lead to a decline in the quality of education and to negative consequences in the sector.

Particularly in recent years, teacher and staff costs have increased almost 4-fold. Educational institutions are taking on a greater financial burden in order to attract qualified teachers and retain existing teachers. However, these cost increases, combined with the effect of student enrolment fees being kept limited, create problems regarding the quality of education and the adequacy of resources.

Publication support plays an important role in covering the basic expenses of educational institutions. However, due to rising costs, educational institutions are forced to pass these costs on to parents. This, in turn, causes difficulties in access to educational services.

In addition, no support is provided to the education sector by organizations such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB). As in other sectors, financial support mechanisms need to be established for the development and sustainability of the education sector.

There is also no grant or loan support programme for educational institutions. This prevents educational institutions from developing innovative approaches and improving quality. We will compile a report on these problems as soon as possible and share it with the executive authorities.”