Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemakers Program continues in its 5th season to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development. The last Changemaker of the 5th season is “Another School is Possible Association”.
Another School is Possible Association was established in 2010 by a group of families in order to provide children with opportunities to improve their potential and creativity; to design the school, class, and educational environment in favor of children's high-benefit and security, and within the framework of ecological awareness.
The Association aims to create a pluralistic and solidaristic school culture that enables children, families, educators, and employees to participate in the processes of planning, making decisions, and implementing. In order to reach their goal, Another School is Possible Association first established the Private Yahşi Primary School in Bodrum, a district in southwestern Turkey.
From dietary habits to dress code, different methods are used in the Happy Goat Primary School as named by children. For example, food is prepared according to the seasonal cycle with respect to nature and labor. There are no desks in the classrooms; most of the classes take place in nature. They prefer to use the word “children” instead of “student” in the school where decisions are taken by the “Student Council”.
Eventhough the Happy Goat Primary School has a private-school status, its biggest difference from other private schools is that the school does not seek to gain profit. Families, who want to send their children to this school, first need to become a member of the Association. Then, they become a partner of the cooperative after paying the tuition. As a result, all parents join the decision making processes.
Another School is Possible Association also performs education, networking, and advocating activities in order to develop child-friendly and child-focused education.