The middle school built by businessman Sabri Özel in the name of his mother has been opened to the public.
The five-classroom middle school built by businessman Sabri Özel, known for his philanthropic activities, in the Şemdinli district of Hakkari, his hometown, in the name of his mother Zehra Özel, was opened with a ceremony attended by Governor Cüneyit Orhan Toprak.
Businessman Sabri Özel built a middle school with 5 classrooms and a capacity of 104 students in Olgunlar hamlet of Günyazı village in Şemdinli district, where he was born and raised, in the name of his mother, Zehra Özel. The school was officially opened with a ceremony attended by Hakkari Governor Cüneyit Orhan Toprak, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division in Yüksekova, Major General Metin Tokel, Şemdinli District Governor and Acting Mayor Muhammed Fuat Türkman, Provincial Police Chief Süleyman Suvat Dilberoğlu, Commander of the 34th Border Brigade, Brigadier General Rafet Kılıç, businessmen Celal Özel, Sabri Özel and Ebru Özel, heads of institutions, political party representatives, village headmen, and citizens.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, businessman Mr. Sabri Özel stated that he was happy to be opening the school he had built in his mother's name, saying, “Today is both a special and a beautiful day for us. We are opening this beautiful school, which I had built in my mother's name, with all my friends, colleagues, and fellow citizens. I spent my childhood here. My summer and semester holidays were all spent here. This village holds a special place in my heart. I am even happier to have built such a school here in my mother's name. In Şemdinli, we come in last in the university entrance exams every year. We absolutely must change this. Why does our town always come in last in the university entrance exams? This is partly due to us, to our shortcomings. It is an indication that we do not give importance to education, and we need to overcome this. We need to get out of this situation. That's why I give special importance to education. I have students to whom I give scholarships, and I will give even more importance to education in the future.”
Governor Toprak stated that they thanked the philanthropic businessman Sabri Özel and his brother Celal Özel, who had the school built, and added the following:
“As you can see, this building, with its unique architecture, will serve as a middle school where 104 students will receive education. This school, consisting of 5 classrooms, will have 9 teachers. Anyone can be a businessman, but not everyone can be a good businessman or a good person. We know many wealthy people, both in our region and elsewhere. Their hands tremble at the thought of spending even a single penny for the benefit of their citizens, their people, or their state. But on this occasion, I would like to thank both Mr. Sabri and Mr. Celal, not only for this school, but also for their support in all the work we have done and plan to do for Hakkari, especially for our youth, our athletes, our culture, and our arts.”
Following the opening ceremony, Governor Toprak and other guests toured the classrooms, distributing school bags and their contents to the students. Governor Toprak presented a plaque of appreciation to businessman Sabri Özel for his significant support of education. After the ceremony, officials and guests attended a dinner hosted by Mr. Sabri Özel.
