int. online j. prim. educ. International Online Journal of Primary Education 1300-915X Oğuz SERİN 10.55020/iojpe.1838357 Classroom Education Primary Education Sınıf Eğitimi İlköğretim EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8862-8593 Kılınç Şehide MİLLİ EĞİTİM BAKANLIĞI 03 31 2026 15 1 35 55 12 08 2025 03 10 2026 Copyright © 2012, International Online Journal of Primary Education 2012 International Online Journal of Primary Education

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.

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