Research Article

Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course

Volume: 55 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
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Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of Physical Education and Play courses in primary schools in relation to teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), students’ attitudes, and parental expectations. The sample of the study consisted of 1,336 participants, including 3rd and 4th grade students, their parents, and teachers from both public and private schools with gymnasiums in the Büyükçekmece district of Istanbul. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with students and parents, and through online surveys administered to teachers. The instruments used in the study included the "Parental Attitude Scale Towards Physical Education Course," the "Primary School Physical Education Attitude Scale," and the "Physical Education Teacher Competency Scale." The data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were used to summarize demographic variables, and group differences were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test due to the non-parametric nature of the data. The findings revealed that physical education teachers scored significantly higher in pedagogical content knowledge scores compared to classroom teachers. Additionally, students exhibited more positive attitudes toward the course when it was taught by a physical education teacher. Parental attitudes differed significantly based on the teacher’s professional profile; with many perceiving classroom teachers as more competent. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the importance of having subject-specialist teachers conduct physical education classes to enhance both student development and the effectiveness of instruction. Accordingly, it is recommended that physical education teachers be assigned to these courses whenever possible. In cases where this is not feasible, classroom teachers should receive in-service training to strengthen their instructional competence.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators, Curriculum and Instration (Other), Primary Education, Education Policy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 55 Number: 1

APA
Başaran, Z., & Vatansever, A. (2026). Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 55(1), 518-544. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1750345
AMA
1.Başaran Z, Vatansever A. Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55(1):518-544. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1750345
Chicago
Başaran, Zekiye, and Ahmet Vatansever. 2026. “Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 (1): 518-44. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1750345.
EndNote
Başaran Z, Vatansever A (April 1, 2026) Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 1 518–544.
IEEE
[1]Z. Başaran and A. Vatansever, “Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 518–544, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.14812/cuefd.1750345.
ISNAD
Başaran, Zekiye - Vatansever, Ahmet. “Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55/1 (April 1, 2026): 518-544. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1750345.
JAMA
1.Başaran Z, Vatansever A. Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55:518–544.
MLA
Başaran, Zekiye, and Ahmet Vatansever. “Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 518-44, doi:10.14812/cuefd.1750345.
Vancouver
1.Zekiye Başaran, Ahmet Vatansever. Teacher Competencies in Primary School Physical Education and Play Courses and the Attitudes of Students and Parents Toward the Course. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;55(1):518-44. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1750345

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