They showcased a year’s worth of efforts

In the 2023-2024 academic year, 9,445 students benefited from 548 courses opened by the Alaşehir Public Education Center Directorate in the district of Alaşehir, Manisa. At the end of the one-year education, the beautiful works of the students received great admiration at the end-of-year exhibition.

The students of the Alaşehir Public Education Center displayed their beautiful works that they prepared with great effort throughout the year. An exhibition named ‘Lifelong Learning Week’, featuring the works prepared by the students, was opened by the Alaşehir District Public Education Center Directorate.

Within the scope of ‘Lifelong Learning Activities’, approximately 400 works prepared by the students were exhibited at the exhibition opened in the Republic and Democracy Square. The opening ceremony was attended by the governor of Alaşehir, Alper Faruk Güngör, the mayor of Alaşehir, Ahmet Öküzcüoğlu, the District Director of National Education of Alaşehir, Hüseyin Güneş, institution officials, civil society organizations, and citizens.

The performances of the folk dance team within the Alaşehir Public Education Center received great admiration during the program, which included a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem in sign language.

Speaking at the opening, the Director of the Alaşehir Public Education Center, Orhan Aktaş, said, ‘In today’s world, where knowledge gains new value and meaning every day, where learning areas change and multiply, developments in employment have brought new approaches to learning and teaching. In our rapidly changing and developing world, the workforce potential in the fields required by the age and the new era can only be met through education. The society can only keep up with this pace through education. Lifelong learning is very important and valuable in this respect. Learning exists in all areas of our lives, wherever and at any age demanded by individuals.’

It was reported that 548 courses were opened in the 2023-2024 academic year by the Public Education Center Directorate, and 9,445 students benefited from these courses. It was noted that courses were opened in all areas from personal development to handicrafts, environmental awareness to recycling practices, foreign languages to traditional arts.

During the exhibition tour, Alaşehir Governor Alper Faruk Güngör and Mayor Ahmet Öküzcüoğlu were given surprise gifts by the students. While the governor was given a beaded bag, the Mayor Ahmet Öküzcüoğlu was given a cowboy hat, and the District Director of National Education Hüseyin Güneş was given a knitted basket set. Mayor Ahmet Öküzcüoğlu, who put on the cowboy hat given to him, thanked and said, ‘This is a very nice gift that will protect us from the sun, keep us cool, and also protect our neck from the sun. Thank you, well done.’

‘I will make a special portrait of Atatürk for Mayor Öküzcüoğlu’

The Poncho works made by Zehra Seçkin, who attended the Special Education course opened by the Alaşehir Public Education Center, received great interest. When Mayor Ahmet Öküzcüoğlu, who was touring the exhibition, expressed his admiration for the works, Zehra Seçkin said, ‘I am making a larger version of this panel, and I will give it to you as a gift. I am a student at the Girls’ Vocational High School, and the works I have done were highly appreciated by the visitors to the exhibition. I am very happy, and I will make a larger version of this painting and give it as a gift to our Mayor Ahmet Ökzücüoğlu.’

During the exhibition, the Alaşehir Municipality’s catering vehicle provided tea, water, and refreshments to the participants.