Investigation of Primary Teacher Training Process in Turkey and Azerbaijan

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the views of educators in Turkey and Azerbaijan on the primary teacher training process. The study was a qualitative study that aims to compare two countries. The sample of the study consisted of 24 people from Turkey and Azerbaijan, including three people in each group of experts, academicians, teachers, and teacher candidates who are selected through the criterion sampling method. The data collected through semi-structured interviews in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years. The research data analyzed using the categorical analysis technique. The results demonstrated that similar problems occur at many points in the process of primary teacher training between Turkey and Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that personal and professional qualifications and psychological states of the candidates are required to be checked during the recruiting process in teacher training programs in both countries. Likewise, in the appointment for the profession, participants indicated that the content of the exam is inadequate; professional skills, field competencies and psychological status should be measured. In addition, the gap between theory and practice, problems faced during field experience, inadequate and outdated curriculum, proficiency problems of faculty members, unwillingly choosing the profession, lack of salary and status of teaching profession, physical and equipment shortages of teacher training institutions, and weak cooperation between schools and universities were the most highlighted headlines. In-service training was emphasized as important regarding self-development and it should be implemented in a qualified manner in cooperation with universities. The results were discussed within the framework of the related literature and suggestions for the teacher training process are developed.