Kocaeli Governor’s Message to LGS Candidates: "We Have Full Faith in You"

Today, June 13, 2026, thousands of students across Turkey, and specifically in Kocaeli province, are participating in one of the most important exams of their lives: the High School Entrance Exam (LGS). In this regard, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş created a positive atmosphere before the start of this academic competition by issuing a message addressed to students and their families. In his message, he explicitly stated: "Dear children, we have full faith in you and your abilities" [1][2].

Change in Exam Schedule Due to the World Cup The 2026 LGS exam was accompanied by a unique circumstance. According to initial plans, the exam was scheduled for June 14; however, due to a scheduling conflict with a critical match between the Turkish national football team and Australia in the 2026 World Cup, the Ministry of National Education decided to move the exam date forward by one day [3][4]. This decision was made to prevent sports-related excitement from interfering with student focus and to facilitate urban traffic. Today's exam is being held in two sessions: morning (general section) and noon (scientific section) [3].

Extensive Preparations in Kocaeli Province Prior to the exam, the Governor of Kocaeli held several meetings with education directors and security officials to ensure the province's full readiness. According to official statistics, 115 educational centers and 1,872 exam halls have been prepared in Kocaeli to host the candidates [5]. Aktaş emphasized that all necessary measures have been taken to prevent noise pollution around exam centers, and police and gendarmerie forces are on full alert to maintain order [4][5].

Governor's Advice to Parents and Teachers In another part of his message, İlhami Aktaş identified the role of families as key to reducing student stress. He asked parents to support their children regardless of the exam results and not to let psychological pressure hinder the brilliance of their talents [2]. He also expressed gratitude for the round-the-clock efforts of teachers and administrative staff who have worked hard in recent months to prepare the students [1].

This exam, which consists of 90 questions across various subjects, is considered the first step for students to enter Turkey's top high schools. At the end of his message, the Governor of Kocaeli expressed hope that the results of this exam would be a worthy reward for the students' continuous efforts throughout the academic year [2].