Research Article

Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore

Volume: 41 Number: 2 April 30, 2026
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Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis between the Century of Türkiye Education Model Science Curriculum (2024, Grades 3–8) and Singapore’s Science Syllabus (2023 implementation, Primary 3–6 and Lower Secondary 1–2) to examine the role of sustainability competencies and higher-order cognitive skills, which are at the forefront of global educational approaches. In this study, a qualitative document analysis was conducted to thematically evaluate the current curricula of both countries. Thematic coding and content analysis were performed using the QDA Miner qualitative data analysis software. The analysis revealed that sustainability and higher-order cognitive skills are explicitly included in both curricula but with distinct pedagogical priorities. Singapore’s curriculum exhibited a significantly greater emphasis on practice-based and inquiry-based higher-order skills, such as Decision Making (56.0% vs. Türkiye’s 44.0%) and Problem Solving (54.8% vs. Türkiye’s 45.2%). Conversely, the Turkish curriculum placed a stronger emphasis on the theoretical dimensions of sustainability, specifically Future-Oriented Thinking (59.1% vs. Singapore’s 40.9%) and Systems Thinking (53.7% vs. Singapore’s 46.3%). Although the Turkish curriculum has a vision defined at the strategic level, the findings suggest that its implementation could benefit from integrating more explicit, step-by-step guidance and case studies to match its strong theoretical foundation. Overall, the findings reveal the strengths and areas for improvement of both programmes, offering valuable insights for curriculum development, teacher education, and assessment systems. By shedding light on the pedagogical foundations of sustainability-oriented science education, the study contributes significantly to understanding how educational systems are adapting to the demands of 21st-century skills.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Development of Science, Technology and Engineering Education and Programs

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 15, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 41 Number: 2

APA
Güngör, A., & Özcan, H. (2026). Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 41(2), 301-316. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1752258
AMA
1.Güngör A, Özcan H. Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2026;41(2):301-316. doi:10.16986/hunefd.1752258
Chicago
Güngör, Aylin, and Hasan Özcan. 2026. “Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore”. Hacettepe University Journal of Education 41 (2): 301-16. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1752258.
EndNote
Güngör A, Özcan H (April 1, 2026) Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore. Hacettepe University Journal of Education 41 2 301–316.
IEEE
[1]A. Güngör and H. Özcan, “Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore”, Hacettepe University Journal of Education, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 301–316, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.16986/hunefd.1752258.
ISNAD
Güngör, Aylin - Özcan, Hasan. “Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore”. Hacettepe University Journal of Education 41/2 (April 1, 2026): 301-316. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1752258.
JAMA
1.Güngör A, Özcan H. Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2026;41:301–316.
MLA
Güngör, Aylin, and Hasan Özcan. “Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore”. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, vol. 41, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 301-16, doi:10.16986/hunefd.1752258.
Vancouver
1.Aylin Güngör, Hasan Özcan. Sustainability and Problem-Solving Skills in Science Curricula A QDA Miner Comparison of Türkiye and Singapore. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2026 Apr. 1;41(2):301-16. doi:10.16986/hunefd.1752258