Turkey readies 18 million students for new school year with heightened security
Nearly 18 million Turkish students will return to class on Sept. 14 as authorities roll out extensive safety measures after two recent school shootings.
Turkey’s education system is set to welcome back its 18 million students and over 1 million teachers on Sept. 14 amid a sweeping security overhaul prompted by shootings in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş earlier this year. Measures include metal detectors supplied by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, turnstiles at high-traffic schools, and expanded CCTV coverage. For the first time, more than 3,000 schoolyard officers will be stationed at schools nationwide, receiving training from police personnel.
Police patrols will guard school perimeters on the first day, and a new “School Appointment System” will restrict parent access to scheduled visits only. Authorities also announced the detention of hundreds of suspects linked to online plans for school attacks, and the Education Ministry will host a kite-flying event to promote peace messages about Gaza.
Why it matters
The security upgrades affect millions of students and reflect Turkey’s response to recent school shootings.
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