Private schools are soaring. In Antalya, prices reach 500,000 Turkish Liras, while in Istanbul, they can go up to a million.

Kenan Çelik, spokesperson for the Antalya Private Schools Association, made striking statements regarding the over 150% increase in private school fees this year.

Çelik noted that in Antalya, the fees for private schools range from 180,000 to 280,000 Turkish Liras in local schools, and from 280,000 to 500,000 Turkish Liras in chain schools. He emphasized that these figures do not include transportation and uniform costs. Çelik also stated that private school fees in Istanbul are 100% higher compared to Antalya, while in Ankara, they are 60% higher.

Why Are Private Schools So Expensive?

Çelik explained that the primary expenses for private schools are educational and meal costs, and recent inflation and cost increases have been reflected in the fees. The preference of Russian and Ukrainian families who have moved to Antalya for their children to attend private schools has increased demand and consequently raised prices. The education of students from different countries in private schools has led to additional costs for the schools. Çelik advised parents to pay attention not only to advertisements but also to the internal structure of schools, their educational philosophy, and the teaching staff when choosing a private school. He specifically recommended choosing local schools and those founded by educators. In Turkey, the rate of private school enrollment has dropped to 11-12% post-pandemic. However, with the arrival of Russian and Ukrainian students, this rate has slightly increased in Antalya. As a result, with the rapid rise in private school fees in Antalya, parents are at a crucial decision-making stage regarding their children's education. In this process, it is essential to carefully evaluate the facilities and fees offered by schools.