Lessons on forest conservation kick off the new academic year in Turkey

Türkiye has commenced its new academic year on September 8, marking a significant focus on forest protection and instilling environmental awareness in younger generations. The opening week of the school year will feature broader awareness activities centered on forest preservation and environmental stewardship.

Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced the initiative, stating that it reflects the government's goal of instilling environmental awareness in younger generations. The move comes in response to the catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Türkiye's western and southern regions during the summer.

Schools across the country will hold commemorative events in the preceding week, including panels, competitions, and exhibitions, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of forest conservation. Millions of students are expected to attend lessons dedicated to the subject, and many will take home tree saplings to plant.

All elementary school pupils have received saplings to plant as part of the initiative. A short film titled "A Sapling for Every Child" was shown to students on the first day to emphasize the importance of their role in preserving the environment.

In addition to environmental awareness, schools in Türkiye have implemented a "bell-free" system to foster greater responsibility among students. Teachers, along with students, are now prohibited from using mobile phones in classrooms.

The 12-year compulsory education system in Türkiye is under review, with a consensus forming in favor of reducing its length. However, no new fact about the length of compulsory schooling or the return of uniforms was mentioned in the current announcement.

The first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year will end on Jan. 16, 2026, with a winter holiday scheduled from Jan. 19 to 30. The second semester will run from Feb. 2 to June 26. Monthly lunchbox expenses in Türkiye average 2,000 Turkish Liras ($48), and school bus fees exceed 3,000 liras ($73) in major cities.

The 2025-2026 academic calendar sets the first midterm break for Nov. 10-14, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The end of the academic year will be on June 26, 2026.

This new focus on environmental education and responsibility is a positive step towards shaping the future of Türkiye's youth and ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for the country.