Illegal Russian schools in Antalya have been shut down! New decision
In Antalya, five out of six establishments that were sealed for conducting illegal education and school activities under the guise of "playgrounds" for Russian and Ukrainian children had their seals removed in accordance with their commitments to refrain from unauthorized educational activities. These schools can now operate as playgrounds.
Antalya is a popular destination for citizens of Russia and Ukraine, as well as citizens from other CIS countries, both in tourism and residential life. Following the migration caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, seven illegal schools were identified where children from these countries attended. Six of these establishments, all located in the Konyaaltı district, were sealed following inspections by a commission formed by the Provincial Directorate of National Education and relevant institutions. One other establishment, which was determined to be operating as a school under a license obtained from the municipality for a playhouse, received a court order for a stay of execution.
In a statement from the Provincial Directorate of National Education, it was indicated that, as a result of inspections carried out by the Konyaaltı District Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, establishments with licenses for playground and party organization services, such as Coworking Kids Katyusha, Babyboom, Kids Galaxy, and the unlicensed Garden Care, were found to be conducting unauthorized educational activities like nurseries and kindergartens attended by Russian and Ukrainian children. It was also noted that special education and rehabilitation training for foreign children were being provided in the building operating as the Puzzle Yapboz Family and Child Therapy Association.
NEW DECISION FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
The statement from the Directorate mentioned that administrative fines and sealing procedures were implemented for these institutions, and the seals of all establishments, except for Garden Care, which is in ongoing correspondence regarding their commitment not to conduct unauthorized educational activities, have been removed.
CONTINUED MONITORING
Kenan Çelik, a member of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Education Activities Professional Committee and spokesperson for the Private Schools Platform, stated that the Provincial Directorate of National Education and the Konyaaltı District Directorate of National Education conducted necessary inspections based on complaints, leading to the closure of almost all businesses operating under the name of Russian schools providing illegal educational activities in Konyaaltı. He noted that the appeal of Coworking Kids Katyusha, which received a stay of execution against the Ministry of Education's closure decision, was rejected, and after the court annulled the stay of execution, it was sealed on October 2.
"On October 21, following the owners of the institutions operating under the license of the play center promising the Antalya Governorate that they would not engage in unauthorized educational activities, the closure status of these businesses was lifted. This means that the seals were removed, but it also implies that they cannot conduct any activities beyond what is permitted by the playhouse license obtained from the municipality or coworking activities. The commitment includes this stipulation. Alternatively, they could apply to the Konyaaltı District Directorate of National Education to establish a state-affiliated educational institution if their physical conditions allow. We will closely monitor them," he stated.
THEY CANNOT BE SCHOOLS
Kenan Çelik also pointed out that based on their observations, these establishments have not adhered to their commitments. "We will monitor whether they continue this way for a few more days. If we detect any violations, we will report to the relevant state authorities again. These places that conduct educational activities referred to as illegal Russian or Ukrainian schools can never obtain a school license. Whether they can obtain licenses for other private educational institutions will be clarified by the Konyaaltı District Directorate of National Education. However, it is impossible for them to function as schools on the ground floors of apartment buildings. As soon as we determine that they are continuing to operate under the guise of a school, we will immediately report to the state authorities".
