Parents Face Illegal “Donation” Demands Up to 300,000 TL at Public School Registrations

As private school tuition fees soar to record highs, many families in Türkiye are turning to public schools as a more affordable option. Yet this shift has created a new controversy: illegal “donation” demands during the registration process.

Reports reveal that some schools now require parents to pay large sums — up to 300,000 TL in upscale districts — as a condition for enrolling their children. These so-called “donations” are not legally mandatory but have become an unwritten requirement in certain institutions.

Illegal Payments Vary by District

According to an NTV investigation by Onur Aksoy, the size of these demands depends heavily on the school’s location:

• In lower-income neighborhoods, requested sums range from 10,000 to 20,000 TL.

• In wealthier areas such as Ataşehir, Şişli, and Kadıköy, demands can climb as high as 300,000 TL.

This practice has triggered outrage among parents, many of whom had already been struggling with the steep costs of private education.

Parents Report Pressure for Enrollment

Families seeking to register their children outside their official residential zones — particularly in schools perceived to offer better facilities or academic quality — are more likely to encounter these demands. While officially labeled as “voluntary contributions,” parents say the payments are treated as mandatory fees for registration to proceed.

VELİ-DER: “Do Not Pay These Fees”

Ömer Yılmaz, head of the Parents’ Association for Support of Education (VELİ-DER), issued a firm warning to families:

“As long as there are available spots, schools are legally obliged to admit students. These fees cannot be demanded. Parents who face such requests must report them to the Ministry of Education, CİMER, or directly to us. These payments should never be made.”

Yılmaz stressed that making these “donations” only perpetuates the cycle of illegal practices, and that standing firm is essential to protect the rights of both parents and students.

Broader Context: Education Costs at Record Levels

The uproar comes at a time when education-related expenses are climbing across the board:

• Private school tuition fees have surged past 2 million TL in some cases.

• Preschool and kindergarten fees are reportedly more expensive than some university tuition rates.

• School supplies and stationery costs have also hit record highs ahead of the new academic year.

This financial pressure has forced families to seek public education — only to be met with new financial barriers in the form of illegal registration payments.

A Call for Action

The revelations raise pressing questions about oversight and accountability within the public education system. Education experts and parent associations argue that stronger monitoring is required to:

• Eliminate illegal donation demands.

• Ensure equal access to quality public education.

• Protect families from financial exploitation during a cost-of-living crisis.

Until systemic reforms are enforced, parents remain caught between skyrocketing private school fees and illegal demands at public schools.