20,000 students in Istanbul will visit Democracy and Freedom Island

According to the latest reports, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, speaking at a ceremony held at Sepetçiler Kasrı in Fatih, said that Istanbul is a city that inspires and educates, and that it teaches far more than what is learned in school. Gül noted that seeing the sites that have left a significant mark on Turkey’s recent history—and deep wounds in the nation’s conscience—will provide students with far more than what they learn in 12 years of schooling. “Our young people’s enthusiasm, our teachers’ commitment, and—most importantly—our families’ support for our children’s gains in this regard will be a significant asset in our children’s future lives. We don’t view this through a statistical lens.

If something changes in a person’s life, that is very important to us.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told the governors, “Ask for everything you want for your own children for all children.

Details of the Developments

" Gül mentioned that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had issued this directive to governors, and he touched upon the projects they have implemented for students in Istanbul as the Governor’s Office. Gül said, “Our students who know the city, read books, play sports, play an instrument according to their talent, and participate in decision-making processes through councils will be the greatest guarantee of our future. Provincial Director of National Education Murat Mücahit Yentür also expressed that he felt the tragic events in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa, as well as the loss of Fatmanur Çelik, who was killed in a knife attack in Istanbul on March 2, deeply in his heart, and said he remembered the teachers and students who lost their lives with compassion.

Noting that they had gathered to collectively interpret a very important threshold regarding the nation’s memory, will, democratic struggle, and future, Yentür said, “Our education and cultural initiative themed ‘Conscious of History, Following Democracy’ is a powerful educational campaign that will bring our youth together with historical memory, the will of the nation, and democratic consciousness. Noting that they aim for students to develop by grasping historical events through the language of places and the traces left by time, Yentür added, “Some lessons are taught in the classroom, while others can only be learned by breathing in that atmosphere and feeling that pain in historical sites. In this sense, this program will be a living history lesson for our students, and through the power of experiential learning, a more lasting education will be achieved.”

Yentür stated that they will bring together 20,000 students from 20 science high schools, 4 social sciences high schools, 38 Anatolian high schools, 45 Anatolian Imam Hatip high schools, and 55 vocational and technical Anatolian high schools in Istanbul, accompanied by teachers and school administrators, to the Island of Democracy and Freedoms, "It is of great significance that the first students of our National Education Academy—who began their education this year—along with 2,300 prospective teachers, will also be joining this meaningful activity. Yentür noted that the trip will take place via motorboats and ferries departing daily from both sides of the city, involving a journey lasting over an hour, and mentioned that Yeşilay educators will guide the young people during the voyage.

This news has made its way into the top headlines of the global agenda. Experts are closely monitoring potential developments.