School That Operates Like a Factory

School Operating Like a Factory İskenderun Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi in Hatay, through its revolving fund operations, generated revenue of TRY 11.1 million last year by manufacturing CNC fiber laser cutting machines, desks, tables and cabinets. Students learning the intricacies of their trade in the school's various workshop sections earn money through production supervised by their teachers while also contributing to the country's economy. The vocational school, which generated TRY 5.57 million in revenue in 2021 through production carried out by 30 teachers and 60 students in the workshops, finished last year with revenue of TRY 11.1 million. Starting this year to also manufacture pergolas, picnic tables and seating groups for municipalities, the school aims to double its revenue.

School Director Yusuf Yıldırım said they are one of 56 R&D schools in Turkey.

Yıldırım, stating that they carry out various production operations under the revolving fund scheme, said they had a productive year. Noting that they sell the machines, desks and tables they produce to various provinces across Turkey, Yıldırım continued as follows: "Last year we manufactured and delivered 11 CNC laser, 4 CNC wood and 6 CNC plasma cutting machines as well as a groove opening machine to various provinces across Turkey. Additionally, our school is a support center for the maintenance and repair of smart boards in schools in the surrounding districts. Again, in accordance with our Ministry's protocol, we manufactured basketball hoops for schools. Currently, our school is manufacturing pergolas, benches and picnic tables for İskenderun Municipality. Besides this, we continue to produce desks, tables and cabinets for schools for our Ministry." Yıldırım, noting that they generated TRY 11.1 million in revenue through their production last year, said: "We will make efforts to increase revenue as much as possible. Our main goal is to conduct different types of production and include all our areas in the revolving fund."  

"The purpose of production is to teach our students about technology and new developments"

Ersin Öz, Head of Electrical Electronics and R&D Coordinator, said they carry out production at more favorable costs compared to the private sector. Explaining that production in the workshops results in both students learning a trade and generating income, Öz stated, "Students earn quite good income. Education and training have no meaning without them. The purpose of production here is to explain and teach our students about technology and new developments. The students participate in every stage of CNC machine manufacturing from the basic level to the most advanced and reinforce their knowledge." he explained. Samet Cingöz, a 12th grade student in the Metal department, said that thanks to the school's workshops, he both learned a trade and generated income.   Source