The Salim Düzgit Primary and Secondary School opens in Beykoz, revitalizing local education after being rebuilt post-February 6 earthquake.
Philanthropic Signature on Education in Beykoz: Salim Düzgit School Opens Its Doors
In the Anadolu Kavağı neighborhood of Beykoz, Istanbul, the Salim Düzgit Primary and Secondary School, which was demolished and rebuilt due to earthquake safety after the February 6 earthquake while preserving its ownership, was officially opened for education with a ceremony. The school, featuring modern architecture and 10 classrooms, is set to meet the educational needs of the region. The opening ceremony brought together the state’s top officials, local government, and the philanthropic family.
Recep Düzgit: 'This School is the Labor of a Lifetime'
Recep Düzgit, the philanthropic businessman responsible for the construction of the school, delivered one of the most emotional speeches of the ceremony. Emphasizing that the school is not just a physical structure, Düzgit stated:
'This school is not just made of concrete and iron; it is a tangible expression of a lifetime of labor, a father's dream, and the love he has for his children. Our greatest happiness is that our children grow up here as beneficial individuals for our country and nation. I would like to thank all the public institutions that contributed to leaving this legacy for the future.'
Governor Davut Gül: 'Our 2026 Goal is Full Capacity in Preschool Education'
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül addressed the strategic importance of philanthropists in education during his speech at the ceremony. Highlighting the inadequacy of the old building, Gül detailed the goals across Istanbul with the following words:
'There was previously an earthquake-resistant, four-classroom structure here; now, there is a modern educational facility with kindergartens. We strive to be involved in every project where our philanthropists lay a stone upon stone. By the end of 2026, we will have completely closed the gaps in preschool education at the neighborhood level by building 100 nurseries, 100 kindergartens, and 100 Quran courses for ages 4-6 across Istanbul.'
Minister Yusuf Tekin’s Message of Educational Revolution with Numbers
Participating in the ceremony, Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin presented the massive increase in Beykoz’s educational data with figures. Minister Tekin stated that the educational infrastructure has multiplied since 2002, saying:
'In 2002, we had 1,417 teachers in Beykoz, and today this number has doubled to 2,830. We increased the number of classrooms from 655 to 1,753. This is not just about building a building; it is about reaching international education standards. In the earthquake-affected regions, we opened 15,000 new classrooms by September to replace the 9,700 damaged classrooms in 11 provinces, and next year we will raise this number to 25,000. While we produce thousands of classrooms in a short time, I leave it to the public's judgment that local governments cannot complete small projects for years.'
Emphasis on Municipal and Local Support
Beykoz Deputy Mayor Özlem Vural Gürzel stated that they worked in coordination with the Düzgit Family at every stage of the process as a local government. Gürzel emphasized the value the school adds to the district, saying, 'We made every effort to meet any requests made of us as a municipality. I thank the family that brought this beautiful school to Beykoz and wish our students great success here.'
After the protocol speeches, the opening ribbon was cut amid prayers. Minister Tekin and the accompanying delegation toured the classrooms, sharing the excitement of the first lesson with the students. Salim Düzgit Primary and Secondary School is ready to nurture the stars of the future in Anadolu Kavağı with its next-generation facilities.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
