Court Ruling on Excessive Private School Tuition Fees – Last Minute Turkey News
Private School Ordered to Refund Books Price Difference by Court
Private schools in Antalya have been under scrutiny for their high book fees, with a recent court ruling setting a significant precedent in favor of parents. The case involves Ayşen Yalman, a lecturer at Akdeniz University and a Health Communication Specialist, whose son attends a private school in the Konyaaltı district.
Yalman was asked to pay a book fee of 11,850 TL to complete her son’s registration for the upcoming school year, despite finding out that the same books were sold for 8,450 TL at other schools belonging to the same college in different provinces. Furthermore, the actual market difference in book prices was only 500 TL.
When Yalman objected to the exorbitant book fee, the school administration insisted that it was mandatory and threatened not to provide essential books or access to the online system if she didn’t comply. As a result, Yalman paid the requested amount but subsequently took the matter to the Konyaaltı District Consumer Arbitration Committee.
The committee ruled in Yalman’s favor, deciding that the school should refund the 3,400 TL price difference. The school management appealed the decision, but the Antalya 4th Consumer Court upheld the ruling, ordering the private school to pay back the difference.
Speaking on the issue, Yalman expressed that she stood up against this unfair practice to set an example for her child and other parents. She also encouraged others to seek their legal rights in the face of such impositions.
Yalman’s lawyer, Mustafa Alper Oral, highlighted that according to the signed contract, private schools are obligated to determine book fees and other ancillary costs by a specific deadline. This case serves as a stark reminder for parents to be vigilant and seek recourse through consumer mediation or arbitration committees if they encounter similar unfair practices.
The court’s decision in favor of Yalman hints at a growing movement for parental rights and fair treatment within the private education sector. As such, parents are urged to be informed, assertive, and proactive in challenging unjust school policies and fees.
