ODAP - Outputs & Impact

ODAP project was a collaborative effort between the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, running from December 10, 2021, to October 18, 2024. The Ministry of National Education (MoNE), specifically the Directorate General of Secondary Education (DG SE), was the Operation Beneficiary, with the project also targeting vocational and technical high schools (DG VET) and religious education institutions (DG RE).

The project aimed to contribute to the “Increasing Educational Attainment and Skill Levels by Providing Access to All” goal of the Employment Education and Social Policies Sectoral Operational Program (EESP SOP). This objective addressed inequalities in accessing education and high rates of early school leaving. The project focused on increasing attendance and enrolment rates in secondary education through a comprehensive and integrated approach, with a particular emphasis on the ‘ODAP Integrated Model’ for tackling early school leaving and its associated Early Warning System (EWS).

The geographical scope of the project covered 14 provinces in Türkiye: Afyonkarahisar, Ağrı, Ankara, Bingöl, Çankırı, Hakkari, Hatay, İstanbul, Nevşehir, Sakarya, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Tekirdağ, Trabzon. These provinces were selected based on MoNE’s data on absenteeism and class repetition rates, as well as Eurostat data on early leavers from education and training.

The project had four main Categories of Intervention:

(1) Institutional Capacity Building, Services and Trainings for Target Persons: This category focused on developing and implementing the ODAP Integrated Model, a cornerstone of the project, designed to prevent, intervene in, and compensate for factors contributing to absenteeism and early school leaving. Key components included the EWS, readiness of students measurement tools, information meetings with parents, awareness-raising days, coordination meetings, creative educational activities, compensation/catch-up classes, skill-based mentoring services, and home visits. Numerous guides for teachers were developed for subjects like mathematics, science, and Turkish language, as well as for creative activities, home visits, and mentoring. The EWS was developed as a management tool to monitor student participation and identify those at risk. Pilot implementation of the model took place in 50 schools during the 2023-2024 school year.

(2) Awareness Raising: This involved a multi-channel approach including a communication strategy, visibility materials, a project website, public spots, introductory videos for the ODAP Model and EWS, awareness-raising regional days, and visits to universities/institutions/enterprises.

(3) Scientific and Technical Studies: This category included a desk review, benchmarking study, current situation and needs analysis, final evaluation of the piloting phase, organization of study visits to EU countries, and organization of training programs for MoNE experts. The National Strategy Paper (NSP) for preventing absenteeism and early leaving was a key output of this category.

(4) Coordination and Cooperation Mechanisms: This involved regional workshops for the development of the ODAP model and coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders.

The project achieved several outcomes and impacts. The ODAP Integrated Model was deemed meaningful and appropriate for tackling early school leaving when implemented by motivated staff. The project increased the capacity of MoNE to improve efforts in boosting attendance and enrolment, improved awareness among decision-makers and the public, established a better coordination mechanism, and strengthened the knowledge of MoNE staff. Equal opportunity and the inclusion of vulnerable groups were emphasized.

The project also reported on the level of achievement of the ToR result level indicators:

Category I: 1,945 participants in catch-up/compensation classes (target: 1,500) and 5,303 students and families reached through guidance/counselling services (target: 5,000). 50 education institutions were supported. 13 education/training programs and materials were developed/revised (target: 5).

Category II: 28,876 people reached through campaigns/events (target: 15,000).

Category III: 11 research, scientific/technical studies completed (target: 7).

Category IV: 46 events/common information systems/workshops, etc., completed (target: 26). These included the EWS, the Online platform for School Action Plans, and the RISE-ODAP monitoring database.

Overall, the project successfully developed and piloted the ODAP Integrated Model and the EWS, conducted various capacity-building and awareness-raising activities, produced significant research and strategic documents, and fostered coordination among stakeholders, contributing to the overarching goal of increasing attendance and enrolment rates in secondary education in the targeted provinces of Türkiye.