Educational Inequality and the Eroding Perception of Higher Education

SUMMARY

Confidence in education is declining in Turkey. Three out of four people are dissatisfied with the education system; one in two believes that entering the workforce directly is a better decision than going to university. Students and educated segments are among the most dissatisfied groups with the system. There is also a significant socio-economic divide in education. Education has become a significant burden on household spending.

This section addresses the level of trust in the education system in Turkey and the socio-economic divide in participation in the education system. It also analyzes whether a society divided between going to university and entering the workforce still values a university degree:

• How satisfied are you with the education system in Turkey in general?
• If you were giving a report card grade, what grade would you give Yusuf Tekin for the Ministry of National Education's performance?
• Ratio of annual education expenses to annual household income
• How does your child usually eat lunch at school?
• If you had sufficient financial means, what type of school would you prefer to send your child to?
• Did you make a mandatory donation for your child attending a public school?
• If you had the opportunity, would you want to go abroad for your own or your child's education?
• However, you can only get a job after graduating from university.
• It is a better decision to learn a trade than to go to university.