Parents who spoke at the semester break meeting held at the Başiskele Municipality Children's University in Kocaeli province touted the benefits that the university has brought to its students.

With the start of the semester break, parents came to the classes on the weekend instead of the students and were informed about their children's situation. Parents expressed their gratitude to Mayor Hüseyin Ayaz for providing such a facility for the people of Kocaeli.

Some 215 students who were classified according to their abilities in the Science, Technology, Experiment and Education Center were taught in five basic and seven elective courses in the first semester. Parents who came to the school for the student evaluation meeting said they are very happy with the changes and developments in their children and thanked Ayaz for bringing this institution to Başiskele and Kocaeli.

Nazım Çolak, one of the parents at the meeting, said they are very happy to have such a place. "In such a short period as four months, we have started to see more different things in my son Emir than before. My son took a mechatronics workshop as an elective course for electrics and electronics. He helps me out with things I never knew," Çolak said. "Now he ranks second in the school, and he will also participate in a competition to represent the school and Başiskele. Our university has added so much to our child's success."

Arzu Akyol said a major shortcoming has been lifted with the Children's University. "I am one of those who waited for this place to open since it began construction. There was no place for gifted students to study in Kocaeli. It was a big gap," she said. "I am very happy with the changes in my child. My child has both teachers and friends who understand him, think and speak like him."

Remzi Güllü, who lives in the Serdar neighborhood, said that with the guidance of the teacher, they came to Başiskele Children's University and his daughter's self-esteem increased.