18 million schoolchildren start second semester in Turkey

ISTANBUL

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More than 18 million pupils across Turkey headed to schools for the second semester of the academic year on Feb. 6 after two weeks of winter holidays, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The academic year for all students is scheduled to finish on June 9, according to officials. 

Meanwhile, anti-drug police teams have conducted operations against drug traffickers and tightened inspections on the first day of school, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

At least 500 police officers were appointed to take measures near schools on the early hours of the morning, while warning local businesses near schools to be cautious. 

Police have caught some suspected drug traffickers and dispersed suspicious people from areas near schools. 

Officials have said that these security measures would continue throughout the year to prevent pupils from accessing drugs.

Hundreds of thousands of pupils have entered an intense semester of exams. 

Eighth-grade students will take the Transition from Primary to Secondary Education (TEOG) exam on April 26 and 27, while the retake exams for TEOG will be on on May 20 and 21.

Final year high school students will sit the University Entrance Examination (YGS) on March 12. 

Following the YGS, students will sit the Transition to Higher Education Examination (LYS) to make their university choices on June 10, 11, 17 and 18.