Evaluation of Policies to Provide Educational Equality of Opportunity in Türkiye

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

The purpose of this study is to reveal out the policies to ensure equality of opportunity in education for economically disadvantaged students in Türkiye and how policies reflect on disadvantaged students. Qualitative research method was used in this study. The data sources of the research consist of top policy documents, national and international reports, education statistics, and the opinions of individuals working in education trade unions, think tanks, and academics specializing in education policy. Through content analysis, three themes emerged which are equality in access to education, equality in access to opportunities, and equality in educational outcomes. The targets set and the practices implemented were evaluated within the scope of fighting against poverty and discussed in terms of social policies that include interventions to eliminate their economic disadvantages by aiming to break the cycle of poverty. Policies and practices targeting poor students have been addressed from a limited perspective, without a holistic approach. When the equality of opportunity policies in education are examined, it has been implemented to cover all students in the education system. Therefore, it is evident that the Turkish education system requires policies that promote justice rather than equality.