Answer:
The Game-Friendly School Project aims to transform a school’s perception of play.
It introduces a rating system designed to assess how schools value play, what opportunities they provide for students to engage in play, and how inclined they are to integrate play into school life.
The project seeks to enhance a school’s qualification as a Game-Friendly School by evaluating the extent to which it meets established criteria.
Through this framework, the project aspires to improve the perspectives of schools, parents, and teachers regarding the role of play in education.
Answer: The project has several core objectives:
- -To reimagine today’s schools as spaces where children can freely and safely play—fulfilling the role that streets used to play in childhood;
- -To shift the concept of play from being solely a recreational activity to an integrated system embraced by all school stakeholders and environments;
- -To create learning-oriented play areas across schoolyards, hallways, classrooms, walls, and shared spaces;
- -To increase the amount of safe playtime available to students.
Answer:
No. All schools in Türkiye—both public and private—are eligible to apply for the #GameFriendlySchool Project.
The project is limited to only 100 participating schools across the country; there will not be a 101st.
As we offer individualized consultancy to each institution over a six-month period, maintaining consistent quality standards is one of our top priorities in this initiative.
Answer:
After completing the preliminary application, public school administrators may proceed in one of two ways: if they have a sister-school partnership with a private institution, they can carry out the process collaboratively; alternatively, they may participate in the project through sponsorships secured via the school-parent association.
As part of our commitment to accessibility, we also emphasize our “Suspended #GameFriendlySchool” initiative within the scope of the project.
Answer:
Once the preliminary application form on our website is submitted, schools are contacted in the order of applications received, and an initial planning meeting is scheduled.
Following the meeting, a collaboration agreement is sent to the school. During the signing phase, an appointment is set for environmental observation and documentation.
Upon signing the agreement, an on-site visit is conducted to assess the school based on the #GameFriendlySchool criteria, during which photos are taken and school layout/floor plans are reviewed and updated if necessary.
The preliminary stage concludes with consultations involving school administrators, teachers, and students.
Answer:
The preparation of the detailed report following the environmental observation and documentation phase typically takes 3 to 4 months.
The report includes grade-specific play area designs, recommendations from our comprehensive catalog featuring thousands of games, and references to our collaborating partners.
The school proceeds with implementation over a twelve-month period under our consultancy.
At this stage, schools may choose to carry out the recommended actions either through partner companies or using their own internal resources.
Answer:
Following the completion of environmental observation and reporting activities, schools that successfully complete the initial evaluation process are revisited for a second round of observation and reassessment. Based on how many of the 150 criteria in our evaluation scale the school fulfills, it is granted a rating and may be officially presented as a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-star #GameFriendlySchool.
Answer:
According to our research-based, academically developed evaluation scale—currently the only one of its kind both in Türkiye and globally—schools are rated based on how many of the 150 criteria they meet. The number of fulfilled indicators determines whether a school receives 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 stars. If an institution deems a lower rating (e.g., 1- or 2-star) sufficient following the initial evaluation, it may be formally recognized as a 2-Star #GameFriendlySchool accordingly.
Answer:
Schools that qualify as #GameFriendlySchools receive an official certification package endorsed by the Center for Innovative Education Development and Research (YEGAM). This includes a certificate, flag, plaque, stickers, and a trophy. Furthermore, the school's logo and star rating are published on our website, among the 100 participating schools.
Answer:
Schools that earn the #GameFriendlySchool title retain their certification for a period of two years, provided they continue to meet the established criteria. After two years, schools wishing to maintain their status must undergo a reevaluation to renew their certification.