Primary Education Graduate Students Views on Democracy Education in Primary Schools

In this study, it was aimed to examine the views of primary education graduate students on democracy education in Türkiye. Qualitative research method was used since the views of primary education graduate students regarding the concept of democracy education were discussed in detail in the study. The study included 40 participants who were graduate students in the field of primary education at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. Criterion sampling method was used to determine the participants. In order to reveal the views of the participants, a semi-structured interview form consisting of 6 questions prepared by experts was used and interviews were conducted online. The data obtained were analysed by more than one researcher using the content analysis method. The findings obtained through content analysis were modelled with NVIVO 14 software. In line with the findings, the participants stated that democracy education is "necessary" for a country and that the level of democracy education in Türkiye is "insufficient". The biggest obstacle to democracy education in Türkiye is seen as "educational practices". The research revealed that the curriculum in democracy education in Türkiye should be “student-oriented” and "institutional policy-oriented" studies should be carried out to improve democracy education.