Minister Selçuk had a warm chat with 4th grade students Alper Samet Dede, Yiğit Alp Yöntem; 5th grade students Bekir Balkan Albay, Eyüp Buğra Abacı and Aslı Yoldaş and then listened to the "Vardar Ovası" violin performance of Alper Samet Dede who has "absolute ear" and could perform any melody he hears.

 

Following this meeting, Selçuk came together with the parents of children with special needs from all over the country through video conference. Parents shared their expectations from special education with Minister Selçuk.

 

"Most important thing we must do in the World Disabilities Day begins in the mind; establishing empathy," said Selçuk adding that people must primarily raise awareness in order to understand people with special needs and make social life easier for them.

 

Noting that one of the most important fundamental obligation of the Ministry is to guarantee the right of education of all people including students with special needs, Selçuk went on to say that; "We are aiming at lifting all barriers in front of these students and increase their education opportunities. Our priority is to protect the rights of these students who have psychical and mental disadvantages in line with our equal right of opportunity in education policy. I want you to know that not only on this day but every day we work in an effort to reach and support your children. We are here to protect the right of education of your children who have special needs."

 

Minister Selçuk stressed that the Ministry prepared special contents for students with special needs and their parents during the pandemic and reminded that they put "I am special, I am in Education" mobile application and "Reading Fish" interactive digital and printed work book into use for these students.

 

"You trusted us with your most valuable children and it is our responsibility to protect their rights," said Minister Selçuk.

 

Stressing that among all parents, parents of children with special needs have a prior place, Minister Selçuk stated that parents who have too many emotional and financial burdens are not alone or desperate.

 

Minister Selçuk stressed that the Ministry prepared many projects for the psychical, emotional, academic and vocational improvement of students with special needs through lifelong learning institutions adding that, "We continue to develop training projects for hearing, visually and orthopedically impaired persons in line with academic data. Within this framework, there are 715 course programs for disabled and 12 course programs for their parents in lifelong learning institutions."

 

Noting that the Ministry of National Education is working in an effort to give emotional support to parents, boost their knowledge and make their life easier, Selçuk said there are currently 12 different course programs for the parents of students who need special education.

 

Selçuk added that parents can directly apply to the nearest lifelong learning institution or by visiting the web page of mentioned institutions.