German Embassy’s school in Ankara stops admitting Turkish students

The ongoing diplomatic crisis involving foreign schools in Türkiye has expanded as the German Embassy’s Ernst-Reuter School in Ankara declared it will no longer admit Turkish students starting the new academic year.

Comply or close: Türkiye issues ultimatum to French schools

The change in policy at Ernst-Reuter follows an earlier clash between Turkish and French authorities over French embassy-run schools, including “Charles de Gaulle” and “Pierre Loti” in the country.

The French Embassy in Ankara announced that the Ministry of National Education, MEB, had presented it with a demand about French schools in Türkiye, stating that if the agreement was not signed, Turkish students would not be able to enroll at these schools, and students already studying at them would be transferred to Turkish schools.

The ministry said such schools should be affiliated with the ministry rather than the French embassy. Despite prolonged discussions, no resolution was reached. Last week, Minister of Education Yusuf Tekin accused France of colonial behavior and emphasized that Türkiye would follow legal procedures if the schools did not comply.

Germany joins the fray

Now, Germany has become part of the issue. The German Embassy-linked Ernst-Reuter School’s decision follows a directive from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prohibiting the admission of Turkish students.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a note that unfortunately prohibits us from accepting new students with Turkish passports …in the 2024/2025 academic year until further notice

Ernst-Reuter School

These schools under the authority of foreign embassies, originally established for the children of diplomats, now predominantly serve Turkish students and the MEB seeks authority over them. Currently, these schools do not use Turkish curricula created by the MEB and the ministry does not have any control over education at the schools.

Impact on families

In a message to parents, the school acknowledged the significant disruption this change would cause, emphasizing the urgency of finding new educational institutions for their children. The German Foreign Ministry is reportedly working intensively to find a solution.

Ongoing enrollments for non-Turkish students

Despite the restrictions on Turkish students, the Ernst-Reuter School continues to accept students of other nationalities, including those in kindergarten.

The statement said that students with Turkish passports who have been attending the school, including kindergarten, since at least the 2023-2024 academic year, who do not have a Turkish passport but a “Blue Card” and students who are citizens of other countries can still enroll.

Open door policy for compliant schools

Officials from the Turkish Ministry of Education have indicated that the country will not compromise on this issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues its consultations on the matter.

The Turkish Ministry of Education remains open to negotiations with countries willing to meet the outlined requirements. Education Minister Yusuf Tekin reiterated this stance, stating that schools adhering to Türkiye’s educational regulations will be allowed to continue their operations.

Minister Tekin’s warning

Minister Tekin addressed the situation during a press briefing, emphasizing that schools refusing to comply with Turkish regulations will be considered invalid. He highlighted ongoing discussions with France and Pakistan to establish mutual agreements ensuring the educational rights of Turkish citizens abroad.