Rare disease at school

Meeting the teacher and school management

Before the school year starts, or right after the diagnosis, you can meet the class teacher, the principal and the school counselor. In primary and middle school, since 2026 parents book the meeting day through the appointment system on the school’s website. In the meeting, explain how the condition affects the school day. Discuss together what they need to know and what they need to do.

1. Book a meeting day through the appointment system on the school’s website.
2. Bring a short written information note to the meeting.
3. Clarify who will be responsible and how you can be reached.
4. Update the information at least once a year or whenever the health condition changes.

Source: MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 78/11 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Written information note (health plan)

No official form for rare diseases to give to schools could be found in Türkiye. In the United Kingdom, schools use an “individual healthcare plan” for this. The plan sets out the condition, its symptoms and its triggers. It also covers needs around medicines, food, rest, absences and exams. It states clearly what to do in an emergency and whom to call. You can prepare the note together with your doctor.

1. The name of the condition and a short explanation (one or two sentences).
2. Symptoms and danger signs that may be seen at school.
3. Care, food, water and toilet needs during the day.
4. What to do in an emergency and whom to call.
5. The doctor’s contact details and the date of the note.

Source: UK Department for Education – Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions (2015, güncelleme 2017)

Who should hold the health information?

Under the law, health and genetic data are “special categories of personal data.” These data may only be processed under the conditions set out in the law; one of these is explicit consent. The school management must also process students’ personal data in line with this law. So you can decide together with the school whom the information will be shared with. It is important that the people who will help in an emergency know the information.

Source: 6698 sayılı Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu, madde 6 (mevzuat.gov.tr) · MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 78/8 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Medicines at school: no general rule found

No general text from MEB (Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı, Ministry of National Education) regulating the giving of medicines at school could be found. The regulation contains only this rule: no medicines other than first aid supplies may be kept in the school’s first aid cabinet. If your child needs to take medicines at school, discuss this with your doctor and the school management. Put in writing who will help, when and how.

Source: MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 78/1-d (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Emergency plan

In some rare diseases, a sudden worsening may happen at school. A short, clear emergency plan helps with this. The plan lists danger signs, first steps, when to call 112 and the family’s phone numbers. You can also add the emergency card from the disease page to the plan. School trips and off-site activities should also be included in the plan.

1. Prepare the plan with the doctor who follows your child.
2. Keep one copy in the classroom and one with the school management.
3. When the teacher changes, explain the plan to the new teacher.

Source: UK Department for Education – Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions

Health monitoring by phone

In primary and middle school, students with a chronic illness that needs remote monitoring are given some flexibility. The regulation gives examples such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and celiac disease. These students can access their mobile phones more easily, only for health monitoring. If your child is monitored with a device, you can notify the school in writing.

Source: MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 78/1-f (mevzuat.gov.tr)

An example: the Okulda Diyabet Programı (Diabetes at School Program)

MEB, the Ministry of Health and a physicians’ association run a joint program for type 1 diabetes at school. The program has an online training platform open to teachers. No such program could be found for rare diseases. Still, this example shows how cooperation with the school can work.

Source: MEB – Okulda Diyabet Programı Eğitim Platformu açıldı (2022)

First, a RAM assessment

The rights in this section are for students whose special educational needs have been identified by RAM (Rehberlik ve Araştırma Merkezi, Guidance and Research Center). Not every child with a rare disease will have special educational needs. Applying to RAM, home schooling and hospital classes are explained in the “Rights and support” guide. If the board report includes an inclusion decision, the child can study this way at every level of schooling.

Source: MEB Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği, madde 22 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Education through inclusion / integration

The child can study full-time in the same class as their peers. Some children instead study part-time in a special education class. In full-time inclusion, the child follows the school’s regular curriculum. When high school ends, they receive the same diploma as their peers. No more than 2 inclusion students are placed in one class.

Source: MEB Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği, madde 22 ve 23 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

BEP (Bireyselleştirilmiş Eğitim Programı, individualized education program)

The BEP is a written education plan prepared for the child. It contains yearly and short-term goals. It also states what support will be given, for how long and by whom. Classroom arrangements and teaching methods are also set out in the BEP. The BEP is prepared by the school’s BEP development unit. The parent and the student are also members of this unit.

1. Ask the school management for a date to attend the BEP meeting.
2. Bring the adjustments recommended by the doctor (rest, breaks between lessons, seating) to the meeting.
3. Ask for the BEP to be updated when the health condition changes.

Source: MEB Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği, madde 4, 20, 47 ve 48 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Support education room

The support education room is a classroom where a student in full-time inclusion receives extra support. Teaching here is mostly one-to-one; groups of up to 3 are also possible. The BEP unit decides which subjects are given and for how many hours a week. This time cannot exceed 40 percent of weekly lesson hours. If needed, support can also be given outside lesson hours or on weekends.

Source: MEB Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği, madde 25 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Adjustments in exams and homework

An inclusion student’s progress is measured against their BEP. In school exams, time, setting, method and materials are adjusted for the child. A student with limited motor skills is exempted from the practical parts of lessons at the parent’s written request. In primary school, a grade may be repeated once at the parent’s request and by decision of the BEP unit.

Source: MEB Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği, madde 24 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Primary and middle school

School attendance is compulsory. A document of excuse or the parent’s written statement is given to the school no later than 3 working days after the day of absence. In compelling cases, this period can be extended up to 20 working days. If there is a valid reason, the school can grant up to 15 days of leave a year. In middle school, with 20 or more days of unexcused absence in a year, the teachers’ board decides whether the student moves up a grade.

1. After a hospital check-up, give the report or document to the school within 3 working days.
2. If you could not get the document, ask the school management for an extension.

Source: MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 18 ve 31 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

Primary and middle school students with a chronic illness

There is an extra rule for students with an illness that requires continuous treatment with recorded follow-up, or an organ transplant. The parent is notified when unexcused absences reach 5, 10 and 15 days. For these students, formal notice is also given on the 30th day. The school works to keep the student attending. A student who cannot go to school for health reasons but has grades for at least one term is assessed as if they had attended.

Source: MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 18/3-e ve 27/5 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

High school: 60 days for chronic illness

In high school, a student whose unexcused absences exceed 10 days, or whose total absences exceed 30 days, is considered to have failed. But for an illness that needs continuous treatment, inpatient treatment or an organ transplant, the total limit is 60 days. For this, the treatment must have recorded follow-up at a university hospital, a training and research hospital or a fully equipped hospital. Unexcused absences must still not exceed 10 days. The document of excuse is given to the school within 5 working days at the latest.

Source: MEB Ortaöğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 36 (mevzuat.gov.tr)

High school absences for inclusion students

For a high school student in full-time inclusion, the limit is wider. Total absences can reach 70 days and unexcused absences 20 days. For these students, the parent is also formally notified on the 40th and 55th days of absence. If the student will be unable to attend school for a long time, you can read about the home schooling option in the “Rights and support” guide.

Source: MEB Ortaöğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 36/4 ve 36/5-b (mevzuat.gov.tr)

LGS (high school entrance exam): students with a chronic illness

The 2026 LGS guide has a separate article for “students with a chronic illness.” If the health problem requires it, the student takes the exam in a single-person room; no extra time is given. The health condition is reported to RAM through the school principal’s office. The parent’s view is taken, and the process must be completed before the application period ends. Devices and medicines specified in a doctor’s report may be brought into the exam building.

1. During the application period, notify the school principal’s office of the health condition in writing.
2. Confirm that the school has sent RAM the “Sınav Tedbir Hizmetleri Bildirim Formu” (exam accommodation notification form).
3. Check that the accommodation is written on the exam entry document.

Source: MEB – 2026 LGS Merkezî Sınav Başvuru ve Uygulama Kılavuzu, bölüm 8 ve 8.7 · MEB – 2026 LGS kılavuzu yayımlandı (haber)

LGS: students educated at home or in hospital

For students receiving education at home or in hospital, the guide offers “exam at home” and “exam at a health facility” services. The parent reports the address where the exam will take place to the school principal’s office. The school forwards this address to RAM. These steps are also done within the application period.

Source: MEB – 2026 LGS Merkezî Sınav Başvuru ve Uygulama Kılavuzu, madde 5.11 ve 8.8

YKS (university entrance exam): candidates with a disability or health problem

At ÖSYM (Measurement, Selection and Placement Center), requests are made through the Aday İşlemleri Sistemi (AİS, candidate transactions system). This requires an unexpired report registered in the e-rapor (e-report) system: an ESKR (adult disability health board report), a ÇÖZGER (Special Needs Report for Children) or a health board report describing the condition. ÖSYM also assesses applications separately for chronic illnesses not on the list. If approved, extra time, a single-person room, a ground-floor room or permission to bring in aids may be granted.

1. Check your report in the “E-Rapor Bilgilerim” (My e-report information) section of AİS.
2. If the report is not in the system or is wrong, send a copy of the report and a petition to ÖSYM within the application period.
3. Check the aids allowed on your Sınava Giriş Belgesi (exam entry document).

Source: ÖSYM – 2026 YKS Kılavuzu, madde 7.11 ve 7.11.1

YKS: items allowed without a report, and conditions that arise later

You can take the exam with items such as tablet medicines, an asthma inhaler, eye drops, crutches and bandages without sending a report. These go through the security check at the building. If a health problem arises after the application, the report and petition must reach ÖSYM by 17:00 on the Wednesday of the exam week. For a temporary condition, medicines, extra food and toilet needs are permitted.

Source: ÖSYM – 2026 YKS Kılavuzu, madde 7.11, 7.11.1 ve 7.11.4

Exemption and adjustment in physical education

In high school, a student who cannot take part in some activities gets a report from a doctor. The report states which activities the student cannot do. It also states whether the limitation is temporary or permanent. A partly exempt student is graded on theory and suitable activities. In primary and middle school too, in practical lessons the student cannot do because of a report, participation in basic skills is assessed. You can ask your doctor which activities are suitable.

Source: MEB Ortaöğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 51/5 (mevzuat.gov.tr) · MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 27/3-b (mevzuat.gov.tr)

School trips and off-site activities

According to UK guidance, schools should not stop a child with a health condition from going on trips. Instead, reasonable adjustments should be made. A risk assessment with the family, the student and the health team is recommended before the trip. No specific health rule for trips could be found in Türkiye. Before a trip, you can discuss medicines, food, rest and the emergency plan with the teacher.

1. Find out the trip’s program, length and destination in advance.
2. Make sure the emergency plan and medicines will be taken on the trip.
3. If needed, ask your doctor whether the trip is suitable.

Source: UK Department for Education – Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions, madde 24

Telling classmates

Decide together with your child what will be said. Some children like to prepare a few sentences in advance to tell their friends. You can practice these sentences together at home. Use clear, true information suited to their age. Other children are often sensitive to the needs of a classmate who is ill.

Source: Evelina London (NHS) – Returning to school after illness · UK Department for Education – Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions

Peer bullying and the school’s duty

Children who are ill are sometimes embarrassed by their condition. Some are also bullied. Under the high school regulation, the school protects students from bullying, harassment and name-calling. In high school, peer bullying carries a disciplinary penalty. In primary and middle school too, there are sanctions for a student who keeps up behavior that damages friendships.

1. If your child tells you about it, listen calmly and write down events with their dates.
2. Talk to the class teacher and the school counselor.
3. If the problem continues, apply to the school principal in writing.

Source: MEB Ortaöğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 158 ve 164 (mevzuat.gov.tr) · MEB Okul Öncesi Eğitim ve İlköğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği, madde 55 (mevzuat.gov.tr) · UK Department for Education – Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions

Returning to school after a long break

A child who has spent a long time in hospital or at home may feel anxious about going back to school. This is a very normal feeling. For some children, a gradual return helps. A short visit first, then a single lesson, then half a day can be tried. You can discuss this with the school and the child’s health team.

Source: Evelina London (NHS) – Returning to school after illness