School Parent Associations meet at the City Council

Mayor Eşki: “We will move forward together for our children’s future”

The Bornova City Council met with school parent association boards at Dramalılar Mansion to discuss cooperation in education and joint steps for children’s future. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki called for collective action to ensure children’s safety, raise them with awareness, and build a stronger educational environment through a participatory approach. The meeting emphasized strengthening communication and solidarity among school parent associations.

The gathering, organized by the Bornova City Council with the participation of parent association boards from public schools across the district, was hosted by Bornova Municipality at Dramalılar Mansion. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in education, ensuring children’s safety, and taking joint steps toward a more qualified future.

Mayor Ömer Eşki highlighted that reactivating the City Council after taking office was an important step for participatory democracy:
“We have re-established the City Council as one of the most concrete platforms where we can directly engage with citizens. Today, by coming together with school parent associations, we are embarking on a journey to build a shared future for our children.”

Drawing attention to the risks faced by children, Eşki stressed the importance of early education and awareness, especially in response to increasing challenges among youth. He noted that environmental awareness, saving habits, recycling, and healthy lifestyles should be instilled from an early age, adding:
“A more livable world is only possible by raising our children the right way.”

Eşki also shared information about lighting and surveillance camera projects implemented across the city for the safety of children and young people, and announced that gazebos produced by the municipality will be installed in schools.

City Council: The local strength of participatory democracy

Bornova City Council President Attorney Doğan Baran Mengüş recalled that city councils gained a legal framework in 2005, emphasizing that they represent the collective wisdom of civil society.
“With our working groups in areas such as women, youth, environment, and education, we develop proposals regarding urban life and present them to the municipal council and relevant institutions,” he said.

Mengüş noted that city councils do not have independent budgets and operate with the support of municipalities, highlighting the strong support provided by Bornova Municipality.

“Collective wisdom and solidarity for schools are growing”

City Council Secretary General Turhan Atay stated that the council has brought together numerous civil society organizations in a short time:
“We believe that the connections established here today will contribute to the educational vision of the next 20–25 years.”

Gülşen Çingil, spokesperson of the School Parent Associations Working Group, pointed out the lack of communication among associations:
“We did not know each other and could not share our needs. With this meeting, we aim to strengthen solidarity and create a more qualified educational environment for our children.”

Questions answered, message of cooperation delivered

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Ömer Eşki answered participants’ questions. The gathering was considered an important step toward strengthening collective wisdom and solidarity in the field of education in Bornova.