Due to the worsened epidemiological situation, Turkey changed its decision on children returning to school

(Patria) – Turkish authorities announced on Tuesday that they will revise plans for reopening schools at the end of this month, and that only the youngest students will return to classrooms, and only two days a week.

This decision is based on a sharp increase in the number of new infections in Turkey, while deaths have reached a new record.

The government also announced that there are no plans to reintroduce quarantine for now, but it appeals to the population to respect social distancing measures, the mandatory wearing of protective masks, and enhanced personal hygiene to curb the infection.

Last month, Turkish Minister of Education Ziya Selcuk announced that schools, which had been closed since mid-March, would reopen their doors on September 21. However, on Tuesday, he stated that only first-grade and preschool students would return to school, while further steps would be decided based on the assessment of the situation in the next three weeks.

– We support a controlled and gradual start to the school year, Selcuk announced, explaining that the teaching will be of a combined type, with classes at school and distance learning.

Parents who do not wish to send their children to school can opt for distance learning.