The Gaziantep city government funds the school and pays student expenses. Mayor Asim Guzelbey says the presence of so many foreigners can cause tensions. But he says local people remember Turkey's suffering following the First World War.

“Gaziantep has seen terrible war [in 1918-21] where 25 percent of its population was killed. The people here know what it's like to lose everything and survive without food. That's why we understand the Syrians' situation," stated Guzelbey. "We have embraced them.”

Guzelbey is disturbed by the humanitarian suffering and the destruction in Syria, which shows no sign of ending soon.

As classes end, the Syrian children are dismissed, leaving Gaziantep officials to worry about how to possibly handle thousands more waiting to escape the violence engulfing their country.