Number of "practice homes" where mentally challenged and autistic students develope their self-care skills in a home environment has increased to 220 and these homes are scattered to 81 cities of the country.

 

Projects in order to reinforce the infrastructure of special education practice schools affiliated to the Directorate General for Special Education and Counseling Services continues. Heavy, mild mentally challenged students and students with autism spectrum disorder attend these schools.

 

The Ministry of National Education intensified its efforts concerning practice homes that allow these students to develop their self-care skills and learn how to do housework.

 

Within this framework, number of these homes which was 101 in 2019 has doubled.

 

Minister of National Education Ziya Selçuk stated that the Ministry has been making constant improvement in the capacity and quality of special education services.

 

Within this framework, the Ministry prioritizes practice homes affiliated to the special education schools, development of life skills among students and increasing self-esteem of mentally challenged and autistic children.

 

Minister Selçuk said, "In 2019, there were 101 practice homes in 61 cities of our country. We wanted to spread this service to all cities. We also wanted to increase the number of these homes. We made the necessary investment and completed our preparations within this content. Now, there are at least one practice home in every city of the country. On the other hand, we have increased the number of these homes from 101 to 220. We have achieved an increase that exceeds 100%. I would like to thank Deputy Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer and his colleagues who successfully coordinated this process."