Education Infrastructure for Resilience Project “Local Information Meetings” conducted by the Ministry of National Education Construction and Real Estate Department via the World Bank with the European Union support was continued to be conducted in Konya.

Detailed information was provided to the participants about various topics such as the school qualifications, construction programs, project communication within the environment and social management framework during the meetings which aim to introduce the projects to the target groups at local level.

Mr. Mehmet Usta, Deputy Governor, Mr. Özcan Duman, Head of the Construction and Real Estate Department, Mr. Fatih Mehmet Oruç, Head of the Construction Works, Mrs. Mukadder Gürsoy, the Provincial Director of National Education, mukhtars, school administrations, local authorities and representatives of the Non-Governmental Organizations participated in the meeting.

“Our Projects has a Social Risk Mitigation and Social Cohesion Perspective Along With the School Investments”

Mr. Özcan Duman, Head of the Construction and Real Estate Department who participated in the Local Information Event underlined that the project is executed successfully with the increased financial support and new implementation provinces.

Mr. Duman told that approx. 1,1 Million Syrian Under Temporary Protection who are currently considered among the age population have resided in Turkey and stated that education is a basic right for every child. Construction of 215 schools in 19 provinces are not only an investment but also the social risk mitigation function of education should be taken into consideration.

8 schools will be constructed with an investment in the amount of 88 Million TL in Konya and an additional capacity with approx. 5.760 student in 192 classrooms will be established. Mr. Özcan Duman told that there is an intensive work on the site and ended his speech that “we extend our thanks to all; Governorship, Provincial Director of National Education, Benefactors, AFAD, District Governorship, Municipalities, School Administration, Mukhtars and ones who contributed and supported us”.

“Strong Cooperation with our Provinces Pay the Way to the Success in the Project”

Mr. Fatih Mehmet Oruç, the Project director got the floor underlined that the educational investments of the project are composed of three components basically including equipment, technical support and the cooperation with the provincial directors is an important step notably during the implementation process.

Mr. Oruç stated that the tender processes for schools have been finalized quickly as a result of the site provision processes and he emphasized that the educational facilities will be operation in cooperation with the provincial directorates in compliance with the implementation schedule of the primary targets of the project.

Mr. Fatih Mehmet Oruç emphasized the charity during his speech. He also extended his thanks to Mrs. Şerife HARMANKAYA who has granted her land for the school construction and added that granting a land for education constitutes a sample for all.

“At the same time, our schools enhance the relationship between our children”.

Mrs. Mukadder Gürsoy, Provincial Director of National Education delivered speech during the meeting and emphasized that “Providing educational opportunity to Syrians who take refuge in Turkey coming from Syria with full of blood and tears is one of the important issues which our people and government handle”. Mrs. Gürsoy also underlined that 14.124 Syrian students have enrolled in education across Konya and they are conducting new works.

During the meeting, the story of Sare El-VAVİ, a student at second grade who has escaped from the civil war in Syria and has taken refuge in Turkey has been shared.

The important side of the Local Information Meeting is Mrs. Şerife Harmankaya who granted her land in Meram-Yaylapınar for the school construction. Mr. Mehmet Usta, Konya Deputy Governor presented a thank you plaque to Mrs. Şerife Harmankaya after sharing that one of the schools under the project will be constructed in her land. 215 educational facilities in 19 provinces will be constructed with an additional financial source in the amount of 473 Million Euro under Education for All in Times of Crisis I&II and Education Infrastructure for Resilience Projects.

Besides, it is targeted to provide all kinds of equipment for these educational facilities. An additional capacity for approx. 153.000 students in 215 educational facilities will be established with the implemented projects.

It is envisaged that “Local Information Events” planned within the Communication Strategy will be conducted in İzmir, Mersin, Kilis, Kayseri, Mardin, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakır in addition to 5 provinces in which the Local Information Events have been conducted before.