The Ministry of National Education, UNICEF and SAP visit school under the Skills Development Programme in Türkiye

ANKARA, 8 December 2022 – Today, Ass. Prof. Dr. Osman Sezgin, Deputy Minister of National Education, Ms. Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Representative to Türkiye, Ms. Alexandra van der Ploeg, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for SAP and Mr. Halil İbrahim Topçu, Director General, Secondary Education Director General, Ministry of National Education visited a Science Learning Space (SLSs) at Şehit Okan Altıparmak Anadolu Lisesi High School in Istanbul.

This is one of the many school-based innovative learning spaces which have been supported by this tripartite partnership to promote ‘learning by doing’ in specifically equipped labs. The students and teachers shared their appreciation for thisinnovative, adolescents’ centered way of learning which triggers interests and skills beyond what is thought in classrooms through regular curricula.

As a result of this partnership, more than 1 million students across 822 schools, half of them girls, have benefited from deeper engagement in design, sciences, and the arts. The programme has also enhanced the capacity of 488 provincial coordinators and 32,000 teachers from 81 provinces in 763 upper-secondary schools to provide innovative and engaging teaching support on skills building.

“I want to become a computer engineer or software engineer. Studying in the laboratory has improved my interest in the courses and learning. Because in the lab we can learn better, we can also better observe the technical details.It is fascinating!” said Serdar, a student who attends the visited lab visited.

 “We used to do lessons in the classroom. We used to see everything on the whiteboard. Sure, we still understood somehow, but we never had a chance to try and fail. Experimenting together with my friends, contributes to our learning. We study together by helping each other.” said Ebrar, an 11^th grade student.  She added that with this experience she also discovered the career path she intends to pursue.

“To face the current global learning crises, the education systems need to adapt to the shifting skills needed by the market, making learning more student-centered, dynamic, inclusive and collaborative, allowing space to nurture curiosity, critical thinking and creativity. UNICEF is very pleased with the partnership with the Ministry of National Education and SAP as this project is a powerful example of how impactful this adaptation can be in the lives of so many young people, said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Representative to Türkiye during the visit.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Osman Sezgin, the Deputy Minister of National Education, thanked UNICEF and SAP for their contribution to education in the country. Noting that there is an intellectual plan and philosophy in every work done, Sezgin said, "Everything that is right, both in ourselves and in the universe, is entrusted to us. Paying attention to that is in favor of humanity. In order to use it, it is necessary to ensure its sustainability.”

Speaking at the press conference, SAP Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Alexander van der Ploeg said: “At SAP, we believe that investing in youth education is a fundamental need for a more equitable, inclusive economy and society. Together with the Ministry of National Education and UNICEF Türkiye, we support the creation of a fair world where every young person can access skills, education and opportunities. With this project, we aim to create opportunities in innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship, which are critically important for young people in Turkiye. We are proud of this collaboration, which will help young people to discover their potential that will shape our future.”