Preschool education campaign carried out by the Ministry of National Education since last year gave results. As a part of the preschool education campaign, the Ministry inaugurated 2,176 kindergartens and 16,045 preschool classrooms and kindergarten capacity reached 5,385. Existing 2,782 kindergarten capacity was increased by two times within a year.

 

There has been a very significant increase in the schooling rate of three- five year old children. Schooling rate of three year old children increased from 9 percent to 15 percent, the schooling rate of four year old children increased from 16 percent to 36 percent and the schooling rate of five year old children increased from 65 percent to 98 percent within a year and reached a historical record level.

 

Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer said "We consider preschool education as the main point of equal opportunity in education. On the other hand, there are scientific findings that show that people who were enrolled in preschool education showed more tendency in staying in education and employment for longer periods and have lower crime rates. We have set our goals in preschool education in an effort to offer maximum benefit to our people and already reached our goal for this year. There has been approximately 100 percent in schooling rates of three and five year old children and schooling rate of five year old children increased from 65 percent to 98 percent."

 

Noting that increase in the preschool education rates can be observed in all cities of the country, Minister Özer went on to say that: "A year ago, schooling rate in three biggest cities of the country were lower than Türkiye's average. There has been a significant increase. Schooling rate of five year old children in İstanbul increased from 45 percent to 87 percent, it increased from 42 percent to 85 percent in Ankara and it increased from 55 percent to 95 percent in İzmir. Similar increases were observed in other cities of the country. For example, it increased from 25 percent to 99 percent in Giresun; it increased from 38 percent to 98 percent in Erzurum; it increased from 61 percent to 99 percent in Sakarya; and it increased from 33 percent to 95 percent in Siirt. With the will of Allah, this rate will reach 100 percent until the end of this year."