Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer stated that his Ministry has completed important projects in order to increase the schooling rate at all levels of education in the last 19 years during a ceremony organized on the occasion of the establishment of "Skill Practice Areas" in Special Education Practice Schools.

 

Noting that the schooling rate is also increasing in special education, Minister Özer stressed that special education is not neglected in providing equal opportunity in education.

 

"Approximately 367,000 special education students are enrolled in special education kindergartens, special education practice schools and special education vocational schools. We are especially focusing on special education kindergartens in recent years and there are no more cities without special education kindergartens. As of the end of 2022, there will be 300 special education kindergarten schools in the entire country," said Minister Özer. 

Minister Özer reminded that they have delivered 517,000 special education materials in the last four years to schools all over the country as a part of the "Special Materials for Special Children" project which was carried out under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan adding that the number of materials which will be sent to schools will reach 1 million until the end of this year.

 

Minister Özer said that the Director General for Special Education and Guidance Services has initiated a new project in an effort to establish new areas for special children to improve their practical skills.

 

"We will establish practice implementation areas in 1,007 special education practice schools under five different themes varying from visual arts to music, from gardening to animal care, from sports to physical activities," said Özer.

 

Noting that the his Ministry does not purchase special education materials from other sources, Özer said that they are produced by the Lesson Material Production Center of the Ministry and Vocational Schools.

 

"The Ministry of National Education produces materials designed for children who need special education by considering scientific developments in education. It also enriches their education environment and support teachers to increase their productivity. It is important for us to teach special children to continue their lives as independent individuals," added Minister Özer.