The Matthew Effect in Turkish Education System

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, Türkiye has transitioned its education system to the massification phase, and schooling rates have reached over 99% at all levels of education, from primary to secondary levels. In addition to increasing the accessibility of education to those from disadvantaged socioeconomic status and facilitating the access of girls to education, this important transformation has also increased the effectiveness of the education system. Furthermore, the period was also characterized by free distribution of textbooks and teaching materials to all students in an effort to increase the equality of education opportunities. The provision of free meals, transportation to school, scholarships, accommodation assistance for students in need, as well as conditional financial support based upon the continuation of education was provided to students. The implementation of many social policies has continued over the past two decades in a consistent manner. With such a large system with approximately 19 million students, it is evident that this approach focuses on increasing equality of opportunity in education as opposed to simply increasing educational access. The achievement gap between schools persists despite all these supportive mechanisms, some of which are rooted in the past, some of which have arisen from massification of education. This study discusses the areas or instruments that prevent all students accessing education from receiving the same quality of education, regardless of their socioeconomic status, and areas of higher "Matthew effect" severity. The Matthew effect is particularly strong in four areas, in particular, in the Turkish educational system: access to early childhood education, socioeconomic status, school tracking, and access to senior teachers. The study also provides suggestions for reducing the severity of the Matthew effect in these four areas.