A significant debate about mid-term school breaks has emerged in Turkey's education system. The education union Eğitim-Bir-Sen conducted a comprehensive survey across all 81 provinces. The study, which had been designed to assess public opinion, included 119,709 participants. School administrators, teachers, students, and parents were all represented in the research. The findings have challenged widespread assumptions about the drawbacks of breaks.
The survey revealed that an overwhelming majority of stakeholders support keeping mid-term breaks. Approximately 88.2% of teachers expressed clear support for the current break system. School administrators showed 72.1% approval, while 70.5% of parents favored maintaining the breaks. Among students, support was particularly pronounced, with 85.7% of high school students endorsing them. Middle school students also demonstrated strong approval at 78.4%.
Critics had previously argued that breaks cause significant learning loss among students. However, 86.9% of teachers disagreed with this theory based on their professional experience. Furthermore, approximately 80% of students reported no chronic difficulties readapting to classes afterward. Had the breaks genuinely disrupted learning, such high readaptation rates would not have been observed. These findings suggest that concerns about academic harm may have been overstated.
The survey also addressed concerns about standardized exam preparation being disrupted by breaks. Notably, 90.6% of students preparing for university entrance exams reported no disruption. Similarly, 86.6% of those studying for high school entrance exams confirmed uninterrupted routines. Educational experts now advocate that breaks are crucial for protecting student mental health. This evidence-based research could ultimately influence future education policy decisions in Turkey.