Principal Exposes Exploitation of ‘Special Children’ in Wake of Prosecutor Yavuz Engin’s Brave Actions
Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers in Turkey have come under scrutiny for potentially fraudulent practices involving children with special education needs. A recent investigation revealed that some centers are fabricating reports and falsely labeling children as having special needs in order to receive monthly payments from the state.
One such case was uncovered at Süleymanpaşa Primary School in Bursa Yenişehir, where the school principal, İsmail Can, noticed that an unusually high percentage of students had received reports indicating special education needs. After investigating further, it was discovered that all the children with reports were registered at a local center.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the center, operated by Ö.T., was falsifying records to show that children who did not attend lessons were receiving services and collecting money from the state. İsmail Can, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Civil Servants’ and Pensioners’ Unions, took the matter to the judiciary, resulting in ongoing investigations into the center’s managers for potential criminal activities.
Parents have also reported disturbing experiences with the center, including instances of children being picked up from the street without their knowledge, being coerced into smoking, and being offered incentives to refer other students to the center.
Experts in the field, such as Psychologist Prof. Dr. Veysi Çeri and Cahit Ufuk Battal, President of the International Association of Mental Health and Healthcare Professionals, have warned about deceptive practices in some centers, including fabricating reports, bribing doctors, and providing inadequate or no education to the children.
The total amount of money paid to these centers for special education services is estimated to be around 35 billion TL per year, raising concerns about potential misuse of funds and exploitation of children with special needs.
In response to these allegations, Fahri Şeker, Chairman of the Board of All Private Education and Rehabilitation Centers Association, emphasized the importance of regular inspections and highlighted measures being put in place to enhance security and prevent fraudulent practices in the future.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased oversight and accountability in the provision of special education services to ensure the well-being and proper education of children with special needs.
