An Examination of Preschool Teacher Competencies in Different Regions of the World from a Sustainability Perspective
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the qualifications of preschool teachers applied in different geographical regions of the world in a comparative manner and to reveal the similarities and differences of these qualifications within the framework of sustainability. In this context, the qualifications of preschool teachers determined by the competent authorities in countries located on different continents have been included in the scope of the research. The study systematically examined the early childhood teacher qualification systems in Australia (located in the Southern Hemisphere), the U.S. states of California, South Carolina, and Massachusetts, Southeast Asian countries (located in the Northern Hemisphere), as well as the European countries of the United Kingdom and Türkiye. The analyses revealed that the standards were largely concentrated around SDGs 2, 3, 4, 8, 11, 16, and 17. It was determined that the main themes of teacher competencies identified in the countries examined largely overlapped, but that the sub-competencies were structured differently in each country according to its cultural structure, social characteristics, and educational priorities. It was observed that the identified main competency themes aim to strengthen teachers' professional skills in a way that meets the requirements of the era, with the goal of providing quality education, and to enable teachers to effectively use their developmental knowledge to meet children's individual differences and developmental needs. It is evident that the identified core competency themes aim to strengthen teachers' professional skills in a way that meets the demands of the modern era, with the goal of providing quality education, and that they aim to enable teachers to effectively use their developmental knowledge to address children's individual differences and developmental needs. However, it has been revealed that approaches to how teachers will develop and maintain these competencies vary between countries.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Ethical Statement
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Child Development Education
Journal Section
Review
Authors
Filiz Evran Acar
0000-0002-0453-8508
Türkiye
Publication Date
April 29, 2026
Submission Date
February 27, 2026
Acceptance Date
April 10, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 1 Number: 1