18 million Turkish students head back to school

Ceremonies held at assemblies in 70,000 schools on 1st day of term

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA (AA) - Almost 18 million children headed to school in Turkey on Monday for the start of a new academic year, bringing a spike in traffic volumes across the country.

Extra police were deployed as school buses and parents’ cars clogged streets, bringing added strain to already congested cities such as Istanbul.

Children aged five to 18 will sit a semester that lasts until Jan. 19 at around 70,000 public and private schools, according to Yusuf Tekin, undersecretary at the National Education Ministry.

Students and teachers gathered to sing the national anthem and hold a moment of silence for lost martyrs before heading to classes.

Police put on extra patrols around schools for pupils’ safety.

On Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan released a good wish message to students, teachers and families.

Kaynak: