Research Article

Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye

Volume: 19 Number: 3 July 27, 2026
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Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye

Abstract

This study investigates teachers' and school administrators' perspectives on the Ministry of National Education's (MoNE) implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 1,066 participants through an 18-item survey and 18 semi-structured interviews across 81 cities. This research provides empirical evidence of how Türkiye, as an upper-middle-income country, aligns national policies with global goals while addressing local challenges. Quantitative results reveal stakeholder agreement with MoNE's efforts in several areas, with the strongest support for adult literacy programs, preschool education access, teacher development, lifelong learning, and gender equality. However, significant concerns emerged regarding educational infrastructure quality and sustainable development awareness, which received neutral ratings, indicating stakeholder uncertainty. Analysis identified several key implementation challenges: inadequate learning infrastructure, curriculum adaptation needs, limited inclusivity, vocational-industry misalignment, regional disparities, and insufficient sustainability awareness. Despite large investments by MoNE, participants emphasized persistent educational disparities across regions in Türkiye, theoretically explained through the “Matthew effect”, where advantages tend to accumulate for those already advantaged. Policy recommendations include targeted infrastructure investment, comprehensive teacher development, meaningful curriculum updates, and enhanced industry-education partnerships.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors did not receive any financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Statement

This research was approved as ethically suitable by the Harran University Faculty of Educational Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board, with its decision dated 16.12.2022 and numbered 2022/222. All ethical principles were followed during data collection and no identifying data was requested, and participants were invited by email on a voluntary basis and informed they could leave the survey or interview at any moment without consequence

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Lifelong learning, Education Policy, Inclusive Education, Teacher and Student Wellbeing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 27, 2026

Submission Date

December 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 19 Number: 3

APA
Döğer, M. F., Göçen, A., Bulut, M. A., & Kalkan, Ç. (2026). Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, 19(3), 684-714. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1836583
AMA
1.Döğer MF, Göçen A, Bulut MA, Kalkan Ç. Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences. 2026;19(3):684-714. doi:10.30831/akukeg.1836583
Chicago
Döğer, Mehmet Fatih, Ahmet Göçen, Mehmet Akın Bulut, and Çelebi Kalkan. 2026. “Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye”. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences 19 (3): 684-714. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1836583.
EndNote
Döğer MF, Göçen A, Bulut MA, Kalkan Ç (July 1, 2026) Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences 19 3 684–714.
IEEE
[1]M. F. Döğer, A. Göçen, M. A. Bulut, and Ç. Kalkan, “Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye”, Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 684–714, July 2026, doi: 10.30831/akukeg.1836583.
ISNAD
Döğer, Mehmet Fatih - Göçen, Ahmet - Bulut, Mehmet Akın - Kalkan, Çelebi. “Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye”. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences 19/3 (July 1, 2026): 684-714. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1836583.
JAMA
1.Döğer MF, Göçen A, Bulut MA, Kalkan Ç. Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences. 2026;19:684–714.
MLA
Döğer, Mehmet Fatih, et al. “Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye”. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, vol. 19, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 684-1, doi:10.30831/akukeg.1836583.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Fatih Döğer, Ahmet Göçen, Mehmet Akın Bulut, Çelebi Kalkan. Exploration of Quality Education Initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Türkiye. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences. 2026 Jul. 1;19(3):684-71. doi:10.30831/akukeg.1836583