Istanbul Governorship to Audit IMM’s ‘Child Activity Centers’: An End to Unregulated Operations
Istanbul, January 28 – The Istanbul Governorship has launched a comprehensive audit of all pre-school education centers opened by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), known as ‘Child Activity Centers’ (ÇEMs). This action follows allegations of abuse and assault within these facilities, marking a new phase of oversight. Police teams have already conducted various inspections at one such center, examining its interior and surroundings as part of an ongoing investigation.
The IMM’s practice of labeling these facilities as ‘Child Activity Centers’ to avoid regulatory inspections, as alleged, has come under scrutiny after claims of abuse and assault surfaced. The Istanbul Governorship’s audit aims to bring these centers under proper regulation.
Two-Phase Inspection Process Underway
The inspections initiated by the Governorship will proceed in two stages. The initial phase will focus on determining the number of children in each ÇEM, their age groups, and the legal status under which these centers operate. This will ascertain whether the pre-school education centers were established in compliance with regulations and their licensing and authorization status.
The second phase will involve more detailed examinations based on criteria falling under the authority of the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of National Education. This will include assessing staff qualifications, security clearances, building and physical conditions, educational programs, and child safety practices.
Operating Outside Regulations: Ministries’ Concerns
The Ministry of National Education has stated that the IMM has been operating these centers outside of regulations and in a manner that avoids inspection. Concerns have been raised regarding the curriculum implemented, the competence of the staff, and whether security background checks have been conducted. Information regarding the age groups served by these activity centers is also reportedly unavailable. Officials emphasize that this lack of clarity stems from the IMM’s operation of these centers outside established legal frameworks.
Officials from the Ministry of Family and Social Services highlighted that all institutions serving the 0-6 age group must be established and inspected according to the regulations of both the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. They noted that while these centers are publicly presented as nurseries, they operate under the guise of ‘Child Activity Centers,’ thereby circumventing inspection mechanisms. In contrast, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, which offers similar services, operates in compliance with regulations, obtaining necessary licenses and undergoing regular inspections.
IMM Centers Fail to Meet Standard Criteria
Unlike official nurseries, where camera systems are mandatory in common areas and recordings are accessible for inspection, IMM centers reportedly lack this implementation. Furthermore, while regulations mandate that nursery staff possess degrees in pre-school education or child development, and that there be one educator for every 20 children, the qualification of staff in IMM centers is left to municipal internal regulations. A recent incident revealed that a child, ‘U,’ was in a class of 33 children with only one educator.
IMM’s Defense Amidst Controversy
IMM Deputy Chairman Nuri Aslan and IMM Secretary-General Prof. Dr. Volkan Demir issued a statement regarding the issue. Aslan attempted to clarify the ambiguity surrounding whether these are ‘nurseries’ or ‘child education centers.’ He stated, “A politically motivated propaganda is being waged against IMM. People are asking if this is a nursery or a center. Families are looking for places to leave their children. As a state institution, we provide this service.” Following Aslan, Demir refuted claims that the centers were unlicensed, despite reports from the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Demir asserted that these facilities are not pre-school educational institutions but operate within the municipality’s authority to provide social services, defending their legal operation.
Conflicting Accounts of Discovery
Demir claimed that the incident was discovered not by the family, but by a vigilant teacher. “Our assigned teacher noticed the bruise on the child’s chest while dressing him, documented it, and as seen in camera footage, informed the child’s family on the same day,” Demir stated. He added, “To ensure a healthy judicial process and protect the best interests of the children, our relevant teacher has been suspended for the integrity of the investigation,” emphasizing their swift action.
However, the mother of ‘U’ stated that she discovered the incident herself, spoke with the teacher, and obtained a medical report, asserting that no official report was filed at the nursery under her signature or witness. ‘U’s mother also claimed that even when they went to get the medical report, nursery teachers tried to dissuade them, saying, “It’s not a big deal, you don’t need to get one.”
Minister Göktaş’s Strong Stance Against Unlicensed Nurseries
Minister Göktaş made a strong statement against IMM, saying, “There are other grievances in illegal nurseries.” Previous reports indicated that the Ministry of Family was involved in the alleged assault at an IMM nursery on January 27, and an investigation into the allegations of assault and abuse at the IMM nursery was launched on January 22.
Source: Yenisafak
