The opening ceremony of the Merveşehir Public Education Centre built under the “Turkey Resilience Project in Response to the Syria Crisis (TRP) - Adult Language Trainings Component" implemented jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and General Directorate of Lifelong Learning of the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MoNE - GDLL) with funding from the European Union (EU) has been held. Merveşehir Public Education Centre, which was established under the project, will be the new hub of Lifelong Learning in Gaziantep.

Ankara, 6 July 2021 - Merveşehir Public Education Centre which was built under the “Turkey Resilience Project in Response to the Syria Crisis (TRP) - Adult Language Trainings Component" has opened with an inauguration ceremony. The project is implemented jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and General Directorate of Lifelong Learning of the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MoNE - GDLL) with funding from the European Union (EU). The Public Education Centre, established in Gaziantep's Şehitkamil district, will provide language and vocational training, and skills development courses within the scope of lifelong learning for Syrians under temporary protection and host community members. Language and vocational training to be delivered by master trainers will increase the employability of individuals and support the socio-cultural development and social cohesion of the people living in the region.

The PEC has been established thanks to the financial support of the European Union (EU) and in the framework of the Turkey Resilience Project in Response to the Syria Crisis - Adult Language Training Component. Highly appreciated by the local authorities for being the first PEC built in Gaziantep with appropriate standards and modern infrastructure, Merveşehir Public Education Centre is equipped with the necessary technical infrastructure such as computers, smart boards, projectors and internet system to provide language education and vocational training in its 8 classrooms. In addition, a PC laboratory has been designed so as to facilitate the access of beneficiaries to online training materials. Established in the Şehitkamil district which is densely populated with Syrians, the Public Education Centre also includes a childcare room in order to promote the participation of parents, particularly mothers, in the courses.

The opening ceremony which took place at Merveşehir Public Education Center in Gaziantep brought together Ziya Selçuk, the Minister of National Education; Libor Chlad, Head of Section Facility for Refugees in Turkey, Delegation of European Union to Turkey; Davut Gül, Gaziantep Governor; Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality; Sukhrob Khojimatov, UNDP Turkey Deputy Resident Representative; representatives from the MoNE and UNDP Turkey; and the press members. After the opening ceremony, Ziya Selçuk, Minister of National Education and the delegation in his company visited the Public Education Centre and examined the infrastructure of the centre, which will be an important educational institution for Gaziantep in terms of Lifelong Learning with the training to be provided.

Adult Language Training Component, which has brought Merveşehir Public Education Centre to Gaziantep, is a part of the “Turkey Resilience Project in Response to the Syria Crisis (TRP)” financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Adult Language Training Component of TRP is implemented jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and General Directorate of Lifelong Learning of the Turkish Ministry of National Education. The project, which aims to reinforce the economic integration of Syrians under Temporary Protection residing in Turkey and contribute to social cohesion through Turkish language education, has supported 54,000 Syrians aged 18-57 in developing the language skills necessary for their participation in social, economic, and cultural life.

The Turkish language training with Adult Language Training Component started in March 2019. Using the "Blended Learning Model" which has been developed by UNDP Turkey, General Directorate of Lifelong Learning of the Turkish Ministry of National Education and the experts of Anadolu University Open Education Faculty as a first in Turkey and which has reached out far more people compared to the similar models in the world, the project was implemented jointly with the Public Education Centres in 10 provinces of Turkey (Adana, Bursa, Gaziantep, Hatay, İstanbul, İzmir, Kilis, Konya, Mersin and Şanlıurfa) to teach Turkish language to Syrians.

The Blended Learning Model, in which classroom and distance learning methods are used together for the first time in Turkey, has been developed as a new system. It combines the content to which trainees can remotely access via e-learning with the face-to-face training they are going to receive in classes in Public Education Centers. Thus, the trainees attended in-class lessons at 53 Centers in 10 provinces, while at the same time following the lessons remotely through electronic devices such as computers, smartphones and tablets without the need for a continuous internet connection using.

Turkish Language Training at A1, A2 and B1 levels was delivered to more than 54,000 Syrians, 70% of whom were women. In this respect, the project also supported Syrian women and youth under Temporary Protection residing in Turkey to reach livelihoods opportunities and contributed to the socio-economic empowerment of individuals and communities.

In addition to language training, a total of 316 master trainers have received training on the Blended Learning Model. Moreover, under the Project, infrastructural and technical support has been given to 53 Public Education Centres in 10 provinces.

As a first in the world with the innovative Blended Learning Model in distance learning and the number of people having received training, Adult Language Training Component has created great opportunities for Syrians in terms of increasing their resilience, developing new jobs and livelihoods, promoting their participation into economy and contributing to social cohesion.

Supporting the improvement of the lives of both refugees and host communities through innovative ideas, innovation and use of technology, Turkey Resilience Project in Response to the Syria Crisis (TRP) offers long-term, comprehensive and structural solutions to the problems arising from the Syrian crisis.

Centering on economic integration, social cohesion, local capacity enhancement and regional development, the Project brings together UNDP's expertise of over 50 years in sustainable development with the experience and capacities of national partners and the financial support of the EU.

For additional information: Faik Uyanık, Chief of Communications, UNDP Turkey. faik.uyanik@undp.org

E.Ruşen İnceoğlu, Communications Expert, UNDP Turkey’s Syrian Crisis Response and Resilience Programme rusen.inceoglu@undp.org