Türkiye’s first high school specializing in renewable energy has reached the final of the World’s Best School Prizes, an international awards program recognizing schools for innovative projects and their contributions to society and the environment.
The Cezeri Green Technology Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Ankara, established in 2017 as Türkiye’s first renewable energy high school, has been selected as one of 10 finalists in the Environmental Action category.
The World’s Best School Prizes, organized by international education organization T4 Education since 2022, recognize successful schools around the world across five categories: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity and Supporting Healthy Lives.
The Cezeri Green Technology Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School entered this year’s competition in the Environmental Action category with projects focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental awareness.
Since its establishment, the school has integrated renewable energy systems into its curriculum and enabled students to collect and analyze data from real energy systems. It also runs initiatives to reduce carbon footprints, improve energy efficiency and promote zero-waste practices.
One of its key initiatives is the Energy Detectives Project, which trains middle school students in environmental awareness, carbon footprints and zero waste. Students then monitor their schools’ energy and water consumption, with schools achieving significant reductions recognized at the end of the academic year.
School Principal Ilker Erkmen said the project is among the school’s leading initiatives for raising environmental awareness and benefiting the wider community. The school also provides environmental training for students and adults, including guidance on energy transformation in buildings.
The school has developed solutions for emergencies as well. During earthquake relief efforts, it designed and produced an energy bank to help meet the electricity needs of temporary tent cities.
“We are a renewable energy school and a thematic school. All the activities we carry out here are highly compatible with the Environmental Action category,” Erkmen said.
The school was selected as one of 10 finalists from thousands of applications worldwide and is the only Turkish school to reach the final in the Environmental Action category.
The competition combines jury evaluations with an international public vote, which continues online until the end of October. Erkmen said winning would increase the school’s international visibility and help showcase Türkiye’s achievements in education.
The school also collaborates with Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University’s Food Technology Program, hosting students for practical training and conducting laboratory tests to support its projects.
The Cezeri high school is now seeking public support as voting continues to determine the winner of the Environmental Action category.
