Hayata Dokun Yetim Derneği organized an informational seminar on the Vocational Education Center (MESEM) for orphaned children and their mothers. During the seminar, mothers had the opportunity to ask experts about issues they were curious about regarding MESEM.
Every family undoubtedly dreams of a good, beautiful, successful, happy, and healthy future for their child. To this end, they mobilize all their material and moral resources to the best of their ability. However, sometimes families may overlook evaluating each child according to their own potential. They may place intense pressure on children to achieve academic success. Yet every child has their own unique area of strength: some in music, some in manual skills, and others in mechanics. Revealing these talents is the responsibility of both families and teachers.
Should My Child Go to University?
Hayata Dokun Yetim Derneği, operating under the umbrella of Bülbülzade Foundation, took an important step by organizing a seminar that created significant awareness among families. Orphaned children and their mothers were thoroughly informed about MESEM (Vocational Education Center), which was included in Türkiye’s formal education system following a decision taken in 2016. Hearing frequent concerns from mothers such as “My child must definitely go to university,” the association’s administrators introduced the MESEM model to families as an alternative to university departments with low success rankings and limited employment opportunities after graduation. Instead, MESEM offers young people the chance to acquire a profession directly. Mothers attending the seminar began asking themselves the question, “Should I insist that my child go to university?”
All Questions Were Answered
During the seminar held at Bülbülzade Foundation, the critical role of MESEM within Türkiye’s vocational education reform was emphasized. Experts highlighted that young people who enter working life after completing the standard 12-year education often experience adaptation problems, whereas a young person who starts working at the age of 15 through MESEM becomes a fully equipped master craftsman by the age of 18.
The seminar also featured speakers Turgut Öztürk, Burak Özay, and Atilla Yunus Hamallar, who have both practical and theoretical experience with MESEM, and who answered questions from families.
It was emphasized that Hayata Dokun Derneği, true to its name, touches lives and brings about positive development in the lives it reaches. Families were informed that such informational seminars would be repeated throughout the year, and the program concluded with thanks to the guests.
