Under EUR2.5 million project, Hayrettin Özkan Middle School will be rebuilt as a model for inclusive education, welcoming children with disabilities

22 October 2024, Hatay – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today organized a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of reconstruction of Hayrettin Özkan Middle School, which was destroyed along with the surrounding community in the earthquakes of February 2023. With EUR 2.5 million allocated by the Government of Croatia, UNDP will rebuild and fully equip the 16-room school, which will accommodate 480 students at a time. 

In addition, two other schools, one in Adıyaman and one in Kahramanmaraş, will be equipped to ensure full accessibility for students and teachers with disabilities; wheelchairs and other assistive devices will be provided to at least ten students with disabilities; and guidelines for inclusive education will be set in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE). 

“Türkiye showed great solidarity when Croatia was hit by a devastating earthquake in December 2020,” said Croatian Ambassador Hrvoje Cvitanovic. “We have not forgotten, and that is why we feel duty-bound to contribute to recovery in Türkiye after the earthquakes.” 

“Safe and sturdy schools are vital to persuade the thousands who left earthquake-affected areas after the disaster to return home,” said UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton. “’Building back better,’ as we are doing here in creating a model for inclusive education, is a way to restore hope and a sense of normalcy for children and families in the region.” 

Located in the earthquake-devastated Esenlik neighborhood of Antakya, Hayrettin Özkan Middle School will be restored with a total area of 2,923 square meters. The reconstructed school will have multi-purpose hall with sports equipment, a theatre with preparation room, a lunchroom-kitchen, dressing rooms, a cafeteria, a library, a science lab, a counselling room, a school-family union office, a support education room and two teachers’ rooms.

In line with UNDP’s principle of “leaving no one behind,” the school will ensure full physical accessibility for children and adults with disabilities, using the latest technologies and universal design principles. In addition, customized support will be provided for students with disabilities, including assistive devices and personal assistance where needed.

Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the MoNE ten months ago, UNDP has explored different possible sites for the school; studied soil samples to understand how best to disaster-proof the rebuilt school; conducted a needs assessment for local students, families, teachers and administrative staff; and prepared a concept design and architectural project. Construction of the school is expected to be completed no later than by September 2025.

In addition to reconstruction, the initiative will provide inclusive training programs for teachers and school staff and ensure that students and teachers, including those with disabilities, have access to modern, safe and a state-of-the-art learning facility. The school design will also integrate green and energy-efficient features, aligning with Türkiye’s digital and green transformation goals for education. This aspect is crucial for ensuring that the education system in Hatay is not only restored but also improved, preparing students for future challenges.

“It is vital to restore unrestricted access to education for children with disabilities in the earthquake-affected area,” said Hatay Deputy Governor Gökay İçen. “We are thankful to Croatia and UNDP for this initiative to create a disability-friendly model in both architecture and approach, so that children with disabilities can learn and play together with their peers.”

For more information: 

Deniz Şilliler Tapan, Communications Specialist for UNDP in Türkiye, deniz.tapan@undp.org