Üsküdar District Directorate of National Education (ÜSKÜDAR MEM)

Established in 1926, Üsküdar MEM serves as the primary educational authority for Istanbul’s most historic district. We manage a vast and diverse ecosystem of 448 educational institutions, comprising 318 public and 130 private establishments. Our institution leads a dedicated workforce of 8,800 teachers and provides high-quality education to approximately 92,000 students. This comprehensive oversight spans all academic levels, including 82 kindergartens, 52 primary schools, 70 secondary schools, and 81 high schools, ensuring standardized excellence across the district.

In alignment with the OCTOPUS project’s emphasis on inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN), Üsküdar MEM maintains deep expertise in personalized learning and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Our district is home to specialized Science and Youth Centers, a Children’s University for gifted pupils, and various special education and lifelong learning centers. This infrastructure allows us to create inclusive environments that cater to the unique developmental needs of every learner, fostering both academic and civic growth.

Driven by our Strategy and Development Department, we currently coordinate a robust portfolio of 39 national and 3 European projects. Within the OCTOPUS Project (No: KA220-SCH-063BB39C), Üsküdar MEM plays a critical role in the piloting phase. By facilitating the real-world testing of gamified interdisciplinary tools and mind maps in our classrooms, we help bridge the gap between theory and practice. We are proud to contribute our centuries-old heritage and modern administrative capacity to transition history education into a meaningful, person-centered framework.