Groundbreaking Ceremony of the reinforced concrete schools to be constructed in Turkey was arranged in Fatih Terim Anatolian High School in Adana under the Education Infrastructure for Resilience Project implemented the Construction and Real Estate Department with the European Union Financial Facility via the World Bank.
Mr. Özcan DUMAN, Head of the Construction and Real Estate Department, Mr. Mustafa ALTINSOY, Adana Provincial Directorate of National Education, Mrs. Simona GATTI, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey and Mrs. Tamara SULUKHİA, Deputy Country Director- Head of World Bank's Sustainable Development Programme for Turkey and Mr. Fatih Mehmet ORUÇ, Head of the Construction Department participated in the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Adana Governor Mr. Mahmut DEMİRTAŞ stated in the speech during the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the reinforced educational facilities that education is an important process required by each individual during their lifetime. Mr. Demirtaş expressed that the construction of 10 prefabricated schools to be constructed in Adana is about to be completed and the process for the reinforced concrete schools are commenced with the groundbreaking ceremony conducted today. The Governor Demirtaş emphasized that educational opportunities for Syrian children will be increased with the construction of the school and ended his speech that “we open not only our border but also our hearts for our Syrian guests in a world where the wire netting is tightened. Within this frame, Adana host averagely 200 thousand of 4 million Syrian brothers who take refuge in Turkey. We provide education either in temporary education center or official schools for almost 35 thousand Syrian children in our province. I believe that Syrian children at school- aged will no longer have a school problem with the completion of school to be constructed under the Project, we will take an important step in meeting the school and classroom needs in every part of our province”.
“It will have very good reflections in the future”
Mr. Özcan Duman, Head of the Ministry of National Education Construction and Real Estate Department expressed by providing information about the schools whose foundation has been laid that they have commenced the project for providing education for children coming to Turkey after the war in Syria with the EU support. Mr. Duman who explained the Project details said that:
“Today, we conduct the groundbreaking ceremony under the Education Infrastructure for Resilience Project for the schools not only in Adana but also all schools. In total 21 schools including 10 prefabricated school and 11 reinforced concrete school will be operational in Adana. We believe that even a small contribution in education will have very good reflections in the future. Within this scope, I extend my thanks to the institutions supporting us within the conducted projects”.
“We are proud of the achievements in Turkey”
Mrs. Tamara SULUKHİA, Head of World Bank's Sustainable Development Programme for Turkey expressed that they now work very fast to complete the project and construct the schools. Mrs. SULUKHİA emphasizing the importance of the education for Syrians told that “we will have tried to build the future with the schools to be constructed under this project, quality of education to be provided and beneficiaries for every child. At this project, we try to encourage them to be the leader of their country and region globally. The World Bank has become an important partner of Turkey notably in the last 30-40 years. The World Bank who provides support to Turkey to overcome primary problems of Turkey is proud of this. We are proud of achievements of Turkey and congratulate you”.
“Turkey displayed a superhuman effort for Syrians”
Mrs. Simona GATTI, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey expressed that she is proud of being in Turkey and Adana. Mrs. Gatti telling that they try to meet needs of school-aged children affected by the Syrian crisis. Mrs. Gatti stated that “Turkey showed a great hospitality by making a superhuman effort since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Turkey has hosted about 3,5 million Syrians and 30% of this figure is under 18 age. This percentage is at school-aged. EU has created a facility package for this reason”.
Participants lay the foundation of schools by pressing the buttons after their speech.
In Turkey, 215 schools including 60 prefabricated, 155 reinforced concrete are constructed in the countrywide. An additional capacity with 153.000 students will be created within these schools.