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Nine sets of twins have started this new academic year at Makbule Suleyman Alkan Secondary School in Izmir, joining a school where 212 sets of twins have graduated to date.
Fifth-grade students who enrolled at the school, located in the Buca district and currently home to 1,600 students, had the opportunity to meet their teachers and new classmates during orientation week.
At the school, which has become known for its twin students, four sets of twins are enrolled in both the sixth and seventh grades, while nine sets are enrolled in the eighth grade.
With the nine sets who enrolled in fifth grade this year, the total number of twins at the school has risen to 26.
Twins, who are occasionally mixed up by their teachers and classmates, attend either the same or different classes depending on the case. This characteristic has made the school a top choice for parents of twins.
Hasan Basri Karaoglu, the school's principal, stated that twin students have applied to enroll there for 23 years and that quality education remains the top reason the school is chosen.
Karaoglu said having twin students in every class from fifth grade onward has become a defining feature of the school, which is known locally as the school of twins.
He added that while twins can sometimes be indistinguishable in appearance, they can increasingly be told apart over time through their clothing, behavior and individual talents.
Karaoglu said the school works to ensure a good education for twins just as it does for every other student, adding that 212 sets of twins have graduated to date.
He said the school wants its twin students to embrace their shared identity as one of the best parts of their lives. "It's as if all the twins in the world have gathered at this school."
One of the twins, Bora Vatanperver, explained that he and his twin brother, Tuna, attended different classes in primary school so they could better connect with other friends, but were reunited in the same class in secondary school.
Vatanperver said being in the same class as his brother makes him happy, adding that they support each other and study together, though people often mix them up.
Tuna Vatanperver said being in the same school and sitting at the same desk as his brother is a wonderful feeling.
He noted that they share the same dream of becoming footballers and are already licensed players working toward that goal, adding that they specifically chose the school because of its reputation.
Inci Solgu, who said she and her twin sister Zeynep have never been separated throughout their education, explained that their mother always insisted they study in the same class so they would not end up asking her the same questions separately.
Solgu said being together with so many twins is a wonderful experience, though she dislikes wearing the same clothes as her sister and does not want to look like her twin, stressing that they are still individual sisters.
Deniz Donmez said she gets along well with her twin brother Ediz, though they sometimes argue. Ediz Donmez said being a twin is a wonderful feeling, adding that he always wants to be in the same class as his sister.
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