Why Her Work Is Innovative in Education
Mine is innovating in education by transforming rural education in Türkiye through KODA (Rural Schools Transformation Network), empowering village teachers, families, and communities to create child-centered learning environments rooted in local realities and culture.
The Challenge
- Over 1 million rural children in Türkiye face learning inequities due to isolated, under-resourced schools.
- 50,000 rural teachers lack preparation, support, and community connection.
- This results in high teacher turnover, low student learning outcomes, and social disconnection in rural areas.
The Innovative Strategy
- KODA is a nonprofit organization that works to transform rural education in Türkiye by empowering village-school teachers and building a supportive network of educators, students, communities, and policymakers.
- Its ultimate goal is to ensure that children in rural schools receive a high-quality education and have equal opportunities to thrive.
The Impact
- Supported 9,000 village teachers, strengthening their agency and positioning them as key actors in educational equity
- Reached 107,000 rural children
- Built trusted partnerships between civil society and the Ministry of Education
- Shifted perceptions of rural education toward asset-based approaches that value local knowledge and community strengths.
Why is Mine Ekinci a strong match for the Unlock Education Partnership?
Direct response to rural education inequities in a priority age group (ages 6–14)
Strengthens learning conditions for children in underserved village schools
Educators as system levers
Equips young, first-time village teachers as leaders, mentors, and change agents
Systemic reframing of “disadvantage”
Shifts perception of small rural schools from deficit to pedagogical strength
Ecosystem approach
Connects teachers, communities, academics, NGOs, and the Ministry of Education