Report on Turkey’s Universities Reveals Disastrous Social Conditions for Students

As Turkey’s universities open amid escalating war in the Middle East and Ukraine and growing attacks on the social conditions of the working class, a report published by Eğitim-Sen, a trade union educators, shows the disastrous conditions of students’ education, housing and life.

The report, which aims to raise awareness of the economic and psychological problems of university students, also reflects young people’s concerns about the future.

According to the report published on October 8, drawn up with the participation of 279 students, 48.6 percent of students follow their education entirely with the financial means of their families. Only 36.7 percent say they have access to scholarships or student loans. In addition, student loans are a huge burden for young people who have to pay them back for many years.

Many students are forced to work because of inadequate or non-existent scholarships and income. According to the report, about 15 percent of students continue their education by working. A much larger number of students want to work for a living but cannot find work. According to the report, 36.7 percent of students complain about the lack of decent part-time jobs.

One of the biggest issues college students face is housing. Only a third of respondents have access to public dormitories. However, the actual use of public dormitories is much lower. Of the 7 million university students, only about 880,000 live in public dormitories. In conditions of high inflation and exorbitant housing rents, this results in students paying high rents for dormitories or private apartments.

While 45.7% of respondents were dissatisfied with the conditions of their bedroom or apartment, 28.3% said the bedroom did not provide a healthy environment.