Crafting State-Led Inclusion over Two Decades: Social Policies in Turkish Higher Education

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, social policies implemented in Turkish higher education have increased students' access to educational opportunities, and these policies have been both functional and inclusive. This paper will analyze the social policies developed in the field of higher education in Turkey and examine their impact on student support mechanisms. In Turkey, there has been a fundamental increase in the number of universities and students in the last two decades. The expansion in the number of both public and private universities, together with the increase in higher education quotas, has significantly broadened the reach of social policies, enabling a greater number of students to access higher education. In this context, various social policy tools have been developed in Turkish higher education. Among the social policies implemented in higher education, several initiatives stand out, including scholarship and loan programs provided by the Credit and Dormitories Institution, dormitory and accommodation facilities, nutritional support on university campuses, youth and employment programs offered by İŞKUR (Turkish Employment Agency), student project support by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye), and free education opportunities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Furthermore, digital education and internet support, and support for disabled students can also be considered within the scope of social policies implemented in higher education. An examination of social policies implemented in the Turkish higher education system reveals that support measures have significantly increased students' access to higher education and made it more accessible. In this paper, firstly, the development of Turkish higher education over the last 20 years and the roles of relevant public policy actors in these processes will be examined. Furthermore, the formulation and implementation stages of social policies in Turkish higher education will be evaluated. Subsequently, strategies aimed at increasing access to higher education, particularly long-term proactive policies, will be scrutinized, focusing on factors such as the increase in student and university numbers, the expansion of scholarship and dormitory facilities, meal support, free education, and youth programs. The study concludes that support from TÜBİTAK and İŞKUR stands out as a significant tool contributing to students' academic and professional development. In conclusion, social policies implemented in Turkey over the last twenty years have significantly increased access to higher education and have yielded systematic gains within the framework of inclusive public policies. The social policy practices developed in the field of higher education in Turkey are considered "Best Practices" that can be transferred to other countries. This study will present policy recommendations for the more effective and comprehensive implementation of social policies in higher education in Turkey in the future. The study reveals that the social policies pursued in Turkish higher education are quite functional in increasing access to higher education and in setting an example for international practices. In addition, social policies implemented in higher education in the last twenty years have strengthened students' access to educational opportunities and demonstrated the value added to the higher education system by inclusive policies led by the state.