Foreign students in North Cyprus who cant speak the Turkish language will not be allowed to enroll in schools

In a significant move aimed at addressing the educational challenges posed by the growing number of foreign students, TRNC Minister of National Education, Nazım Çavuşoğlu, has brought clarification to the implementation of a Turkish proficiency certification requirement for students of foreign nationals wishing to enroll in public schools.

Çavuşoğlu announced that, starting from the first grade, foreign students without certification will not be admitted to schools, even if they were born in the TRNC and are completely fluent in Turkish.

He also noted that the certification requirement will continue for students transferring from private to public schools this year.

National Education Minister Çavuşoğlu made this announcement during a ceremony at the Atatürk Cultural Center Birkan Uzun Conference Hall, where he presented certificates to teachers who completed the Turkish Language Teaching Certification Program for Foreign Students, organized by the Atatürk Teacher Academy.

Highlighting the impact of the country’s economic conditions on the rising number of foreign students in schools, Çavuşoğlu emphasized the government’s commitment to taking decisive steps to address the resulting challenges.

He recalled the initial implementation of the certification requirement for students in the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grades and mentioned that this initiative is aimed at supporting teachers through certification programs led by institutions such as the Atatürk Teacher Academy.

“We will not admit any foreign student to our schools without a Turkish proficiency certificate, even if they were born in the TRNC and are fluent in Turkish,” Çavuşoğlu stated.

He also noted that the certification requirement would continue for students transferring from private to public schools, highlighting the persistence of the issue in these cases.

Expressing optimism about overcoming the difficulties faced by public schools, Çavuşoğlu remarked, “We are very close to relieving state schools from these challenges.”

He concluded his speech by expressing his belief that the Atatürk Teacher Academy would become the in-service training centre for the country and emphasized the ongoing collaboration with teachers in shaping the nation’s future.

This new policy underscores the TRNC’s dedication to ensuring that all students possess the necessary language skills to succeed in the education system, reflecting a broader effort to maintain higher educational standards amidst changing demographics.

BRTK