Research Article

EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE

Volume: 15 Number: 1 March 31, 2026

EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Citizenship, citizenship education, primary education.

Supporting Institution

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Ethical Statement

This study was approved by Çukurova University, Social and Humanities Research Ethics Board, no 957032, on 14.03.2024. The author declares that they acted in accordance with ethical rules in all processes of the research. The author declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Thanks

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References

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APA
Kılınç, Ş. (2026). EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE. International Online Journal of Primary Education, 15(1), 35-55. https://doi.org/10.55020/iojpe.1838357
AMA
1.Kılınç Ş. EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE. Int. Online J. Prim. Educ. 2026;15(1):35-55. doi:10.55020/iojpe.1838357
Chicago
Kılınç, Şehide. 2026. “EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE”. International Online Journal of Primary Education 15 (1): 35-55. https://doi.org/10.55020/iojpe.1838357.
EndNote
Kılınç Ş (March 1, 2026) EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE. International Online Journal of Primary Education 15 1 35–55.
IEEE
[1]Ş. Kılınç, “EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE”, Int. Online J. Prim. Educ., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 35–55, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.55020/iojpe.1838357.
ISNAD
Kılınç, Şehide. “EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE”. International Online Journal of Primary Education 15/1 (March 1, 2026): 35-55. https://doi.org/10.55020/iojpe.1838357.
JAMA
1.Kılınç Ş. EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE. Int. Online J. Prim. Educ. 2026;15:35–55.
MLA
Kılınç, Şehide. “EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE”. International Online Journal of Primary Education, vol. 15, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 35-55, doi:10.55020/iojpe.1838357.
Vancouver
1.Şehide Kılınç. EXPLORING CITIZENSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN TÜRKİYE. Int. Online J. Prim. Educ. 2026 Mar. 1;15(1):35-5. doi:10.55020/iojpe.1838357