Turkey, in the edge of innovations, welcomes a tremendous programme for the kids. Here the American origined Fastrackids programme that the Okyanus Colleges start to apply and a success story…

With the Fastrackids programmes Okyanus Colleges start a very new and successful system for the development of the kids between 3- 7 years both individually and mentally.
We had an interview with the General Manager of Okyanus Colleges, Mr. Nazim BODUROGLU, who closely watches the recent developments in the education area on the Fastrackids system and the secrets behind the success of his schools…

- Firstly would you please talk about yourself?

-  I was born in 1960 in Ankara, actually I am from Afyon. I graduated from University of Ankara, the Faculty Of Literature, Department of Geography. I served for the public schools for 17 years, worked as a teacher and manager for  the education centers. Since 2005 I have been working as the General Manager of  these schools. 
 
WE CARRIED OUR EDUCATION CENTER EXPERIENCE TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL SECTOR

-  We see that Okyanus Colleges are promoting very fast. Where does this success come from?

- Okyanus College was opened in the beginning of the 2004-2005 season. This building was built in 11 months. Aiming to practise something different from the recent private school understanding in Turkey, we carried our experiences in running the education centers to the private school sector.

-  Something we noticed while walking in the school. It has an atmosphere of an education center more than a school…

- Yes, we tried to carry the atmosphere in the education centers that the students feel themselves much more relaxed and happy to the schools. But we never quit the school discipline.

“EDUCATION AND LIFE CENTER”

-  As far as we observe the Okyanus Colleges are growing very rapidly…

- In the beginning we had 400 students. Now we have almost 2600 students. In 2005 we opened a kindergarten. Later in 2006 we opened another college in Beylikduzu. In 2007 we opened a new school in Gunesli. Now in our current schools there are 500 people working. The number of the students is around 2600 and on the average a teacher has eight students. Our class population is 18-19 on the average. Instead of giving our students homework, and increasing their busy hours, we try to give them responsibilities in different activities and make them feel happy.

- What kind of service do you provide for your students besides the education?

- The slogan of the Okyanus Colleges is “ Education and Life Center”. Our schools both serve as the institutions of education and they have the high standarts of life centers.With the Gyms, workshops and labs our schools both serve our own students and the students and teachers of the nearby schools and the parents.
In our schools expecially the evening times we provide suitable places for the  hobbies of the parents about the sports and art. For example the students’ parents can hire our swimming pool and gyms. For example we have fitness center and they come and make use of  it.

FAMILIES ARE AT SCHOOL

- So you continue the student- parents unity at school as well…

- Yes. Apart from that we provide “hobby courses” at the weekends like art and music.Parents have that chance to have time for their hobbies. By doing so families are also bound to the school. Our good relations with the families can increase our control on the students. So the children own the school and have more discipline.

-  I guess the parents can follow their children via the webcams…

- In the morning times generally the working families want to see their children. Because of this we put cameras in our kindergarten schools,gyms, play grounds. The parents can online watch their children at work. According to the state of their children tell call and take information. They know that their kids are in a secure place.
 

- How is the education understanding of Okyanus Colleges?

- We have a different view of education. In our school we have a Scientific Research and Development Center, that we call BARGEM. It helps the studens between the 7th grade of the primary school to 12th grade to develop the spirit to research  and develop. We help the students for creative thinking and problem solving techniques. In connection with their levels.

- How is the rate of success of the students in Okyanus Colleges compared with the Turkey’s general average?

- Our students achieved great success in the exams they took as a conclusion of the training they had. In many important tests in Turkey our students have degrees, 8th and 19th places in OKS ( test of high schools), 2006 OSS ( university entrance exam 8th place in Turkey, 2nd place in İstanbul and the test for the military schools, our student got the first place in Turkey.

- Does your connection with the students go on the times the schools are closed?

- Of course . We have summer schools. In these schools the sports, training and art activities go on.

- Which fields for example?

-  In sports swimming, football, basketball, table tennis, nature sports, cycling, dart, dancing and gymnastics. Also computer, chess, art, ceramics, statue, marbling courses go on.

FASTRACKIDS… A DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING IN EDUCATION

- You have a programme called Fastrackids. What does the programme include?

- Fastrackids, is a programme that develops the mentality and individuality of the kids between 3-7. This programme continues for two years. It aims to increase the knowledge of the children and leads them to think. At the same time their skills to speak in front of the group, communication and leadership developes. This is an American origined programme. We bought its license and we plan to sell the license in Turkey. We have a team for that and we are in touch with 80 schools.

- What is the aim of this programme?

- The FasTracKids educational goals are to : Prepare children for school and life, develop creative thinking and problem solving, build communication and speaking skills,teach the application and transfer of knowledge, promote leadership and personal growth, encourage a lifelong love of learning
There are astronomy, biology, communication,creative literature,creativity,earth sciences,economics,goals & life lessons, mathematics, natural science, sppech, drama & art and technology.

- Will the Okyanus Colleges develop more soon?

- Yes, in a short time possibly in 2009-2010 season we will open our branch in Kemerburgaz. As our other schools this school will be technologically equipped and be in a green area.

- Thanks for giving your time to us.

-  I thank you

Gökhan Şahin / TIMETURK 11.10.2008