EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE

This study aims to explore classroom teachers' views on the concept of citizenship and citizenship education. In line with this purpose, teachers' views on citizenship, their interpretations of the concept of "active" citizenship, the aims of citizenship education, and their classroom practices related to citizenship education were investigated. The study employed an exploratory phenomenological approach, a qualitative research method. The results revealed that teachers conceptualized citizenship as the acquisition of national legal status and identity, rights and responsibilities, participation, and patriotism. It was concluded that teachers often emphasized the themes of "responsibility," "social sensitivity," "participation," and "collaboration" when defining the qualities that an active citizen should possess. In teachers' opinions about the aim of citizenship education, the categories "contributing to the political socialization of students, teaching rights and responsibilities, and contributing to the development of students' values and skills" were most emphasized. It was concluded that teachers mainly included citizenship education in social studies and life sciences courses and used "providing examples" and "direct narration." Teachers also reported school councils and class president elections as extracurricular activities.