Ministry of National Education: 2,000 accidents, including 10 fatalities, occurred in 5 months under the MESEM project

Following Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin's remarks that "it is not right to say 'let's give up on vocational training and our children's self-improvement' because there is a possibility of an accident," the MESEM project has once again sparked public debate.

"23,252 were found to be unsuitable"

CHP's Türeli brought the MESEM accidents to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) with a parliamentary question submitted to the Ministry of National Education. In its response to the question, the Ministry stated that 23,252 out of 253,940 businesses involved in the MESEM project were found to be unsuitable.

"Skill training is provided, it is not considered 'child labor'"

In the response to the inquiry, while referencing the relevant article of the International Labour Organization (ILO), it was stated that students are in businesses as part of vocational training and are receiving skill training under the MESEM program, and therefore are not considered "child labor."

"2,068 accidents occurred, 10 of which were fatal"

The following information was provided in the inquiry regarding work accidents occurring under the MESEM project, as well as injured and deceased students: "As of 31.12.2025, 2,068 accidents have occurred under the MESEM Program, 10 of which were fatal; 96.1% of the students involved in these accidents were either treated on an outpatient basis or did not require treatment."

The following statements were used by the Ministry in its response to Türeli's parliamentary question regarding MESEM accidents:

"In order to protect and strengthen the occupational health and safety of students receiving training in businesses, Circular No. 2024/36 on 'Occupational Health and Safety in Vocational Training' was published on February 2, 2024. Within the scope of the circular, comprehensive rules have been introduced regarding increasing business inspections, evaluating the suitability of businesses with the support of occupational safety experts, not sending students to unsuitable businesses for skill training, ensuring that businesses have a master instructor responsible for the student's training, and providing necessary seminars to instill occupational health and safety awareness in students. Efforts are being carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to prevent work accidents that students are exposed to in businesses, and training on occupational health and safety is provided to relevant personnel in our Ministry's provincial organizations, and awareness-raising activities are conducted. Following the publication of the circular, as of the end of 2024, 253,940 businesses were inspected, contracts with 23,252 unsuitable businesses were terminated, and no new contracts were made with unsuitable businesses in 2025."

Vocational training center students receive training in professional fields determined by the Ministry. The vocational training practices that students perform in businesses constitute a part of the curriculum, and these skill trainings are carried out under the supervision of master instructors who are on duty at the businesses and have received work pedagogy training, and under the control of coordinator teachers, based on the skill training/internship contract made between the business, school, student, and parent. Skill training conducted in businesses is carried out in accordance with national legislation and the conditions specified in international conventions as a complement to vocational training.

Article 6 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age states that the provisions regarding minimum age shall not apply to work that is an integral part of vocational training. In this direction, students being in businesses within the scope of vocational training and receiving skill training there is not evaluated within the scope of child labor.

As of 31.12.2025, 2,068 accidents have occurred under the MESEM Program, 10 of which were fatal; 96.1% of the students involved in these accidents were either treated on an outpatient basis or did not require treatment."

News Source: 12punto