Speaking at the opening of the fair Minister of National Education Avcı said the products developed in 47 schools from 25 provinces will be exhibited and that work is in progress to enhance vocational and technical training in Turkey. The Minister went on to say “we also are working on sending our teachers involved in vocational and technical training to make studies around Turkey and abroad to increase their capacities and improve their quality and thus fit the needs of the day.”

Minister Avcı recalled that for the past two years he has been inaugurating the school year and the terms at the vocational and technical schools and thus help to promote these schools in the eyes of the public.

Saying Turkey has managed to catch up with the OECD averages on vocational and technical training went on to say “with the work currently in progress we will be able to further enhance the quality of vocational and technical training. In vocational and technical training we also have to give much support to tuition. We also are working on sending our teachers involved in vocational and technical training to make studies around Turkey and abroad to increase their capacities and improve their quality and thus fit the needs of the day.”

Minister Avcı said the activities of the vocational and technical schools are not comprised of the works displayed at the fair and said due to shortage of space only so many products are being displayed.

Minister Avcı pointed out that vocational and technical schools are producing very good results and that they are coming up with excellent products and went on to say “it is unfortunate that the public is not aware of what is being done in these schools. This fair will at least contribute to helping the public understand what fine educational institutions these schools are.”

Underlining the importance of schools at organized industrial regions

Touching upon the incentive system that has been developed for vocational and technical schools being established at the organized industrial regions (OSB) around the country Minister Avcı said “I want to give some brief information about the subject as it has been much debated in recent days. We have 20 vocational and technical schools in the 14 organized industrial regions. We as the Ministry are giving around 3 thousand 500 to 5 thousand 500 liras support to the students according to their area of involvement. Unfortunately this is not an issue that is known by the public that is why I felt in necessary to mention here.”

Minister Avcı buys from the bagel machine

Minister Avcı paid special interest to two projects developed by the students and teachers of the Bursa Osmangazi Hürriyet Vocational and Technical Anatolian School namely the “Bagel Machine” and the “Funnel That Adopts to the Southwest Winds.”

The Minister tasted the bagel which came out of the bagel slot machine which he paid 50 kurush for and then offered it to the officials and journalists accompanying him.

Minister Avcı also visited the stand by the Eskişehir Ordupazarı Türk Telekom Vocational and Technical School teachers and students called “the smart house that listens” and tried the system that opens and shuts the curtains, the lights and the heating system with voice command.

The Minister also visited the stand of the Ankara Mamak Nene Hatun Vocational and Technical High School Food and Services Section where students offered him their home made chocolates with fried beans, lentils, chickpeas and broad beans as well as a gluten free cake for celiac disease patients.

The multi-purpose bags developed by the Adana Kozan Karacaoğlan Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School Garments Production Section students for mountaineers and soldiers attracted much attention among the members of the official delegation led by the Minister.

Minister rides the electric car developed by a school

Minister Avcı tried the electric car developed by the Kayseri Central Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School students and teachers. He and members of his delegation also rode the five seat bicycle developed by the students and teachers of the Mersin Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.

The fair is exhibiting 57 projects from all over Turkey developed by students and teachers from the vocational and technical schools.