The Development of Vocational and Technical Secondary Education in Turkey

Abstract

This study investigates the historical development of vocational and technical secondary education in Turkey, and addresses the conducting projects in order to enhance vocational and technical education. The project approaches the development of vocational and technical secondary education from pre-republican era until the present by examining literature using collecting method. Until 18th century, it was seen that vocational education appeared in mentor-protégé fashion, and 18th century onwards, foundation of vocational and technical education institutions which merely corresponded to today’s understanding of education was observed. Development of vocational and technical education gained importance with the republican era, and critical studies have been done to contribute to the quantitative and qualitative incline of technical education in spite of the arrest points throughout the years. Studies regarding the development of vocational and technical education have been drastically escalated especially after 1970 with OSANOR, METGE, MTEM, MEGEP, and IKMEP projects. However, vocational and technical education has still not reached to its desired degree due to various reasons.