In this section of Anadolu Agency's (AA) "Centuries-Old Schools" file, the educational adventure of the twin buildings that were built in 1882 in the İstiklal District of Adana's Seyhan district, and which host Adana Boys' Anatolian High School and İhsan Sabancı Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, is told.
The two-storey buildings, which were built identically in 1882 on an area of approximately 20 acres, began to be used as Darülmuallimin, which trained male teachers in the Ottoman Empire.
After the building on the banks of the Seyhan River was allocated as a military headquarters and material warehouse during the First World War, Adana Sultanisi students also received education in twin buildings.
Historic buildings were bombed in World War I
The historical buildings, with a decorative pool in the middle and a total of 18 classrooms as well as laboratories, dormitories and libraries, were bombarded by British warplanes on July 15, 1917.
Teacher İbrahim Bey and his two students, who were chatting by the pool, were martyred in the attack.
After the war, Adana Sultanisi returned to its old building, while the twin buildings continued to be used as Teachers' School.
Buildings began to host different schools
Following the establishment of Adana Girls' High School in 1932, Adana Sultanisi was renamed Adana Boys' High School and was moved from its building on the banks of the Seyhan River to twin buildings, and the Teacher's School there was moved to another area.
After new buildings were built next to it and the number of classrooms was increased, one of the historical buildings was used by Adana Boys' High School and the other by Çukurova Secondary School in 1960.
The other historical building, which was used by Çukurova Secondary School for many years, was later allocated to Fine Arts High School and then to İhsan Sabancı Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.
One of the historical buildings was damaged in the earthquake
The historical building used by Adana Boys' Anatolian High School was closed to education because it was found damaged following the earthquakes on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş.
After the restoration work is completed, the building is planned to be opened to students again.
He brought many names to the world of literature, art and science.
Nurullah Ataç and Arif Nihat Asya, known for his poem "Flag", also taught at Adana Boys' High School, which was one of the important educational institutions of its time in Adana and its surroundings.
Among the graduates of the school, there are many famous names from literature to the world of art and science, such as Orhan Kemal, İlhan Selçuk, Yılmaz Güney, Ruhi Su, Turhan Selçuk, Demirtaş Ceyhun, Mustafa İnan, Hasan Hüseyin Korkmazgil, Aytaç Arman, Ali Özgentürk, Faruk Tınaz, Hakkı Bulut, Murat Kekilli and Nihat Ziyalan.
"We have many famous graduates"
Hacı Mehmet Balcı, an art teacher who has been working at Adana Boys' Anatolian High School for 25 years, told the AA reporter that the twin buildings have an important place in the educational history of the city.
Providing information about the buildings, Balcı stated that one of the historical buildings, which has a 20 decare garden, has 12 classrooms and the other has 6 classrooms, a laboratory, a dormitory and a library.
Balcı stated that students from different cities came to Adana during the periods when the number of high schools was low and said:
"We have many famous graduates. Among the first ones that come to mind are Orhan Kemal, scientist Mustafa İnan, writer İlhan Selçuk, 'Ugly King' Yılmaz Güney. Minister of State Bekir Sami Daçe, who served during the 50th Government of the Republic of Turkey, Minister of Culture Timurçin Savaş and Minister of State Esat Kıratlıoğlu are graduates of Adana Boys' High School. AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, who is currently actively engaged in politics, is also our graduate."
