Today teachers' roles in the learning-teaching environments are becoming even more important. In the traditional sense, while the teacher is the sole source and the bearer of information, today s/he has become a guide that teaches students the ways of learning. Primary Education is the first phase of the learning-teaching process, and the characteristics of the teachers involved in this process influence the future learning-teaching process.
The Department of Primary Education was established in Turkey in 1998 during educational restructuring to meet the need of teachers in all branches of the primary education system after the decision of eight years compulsory and continuous basic education in 1997. Within this department, Preschool Education Department trains kindergarten/preschool teachers for pre-school education institutions while The Department of Primary Education trains primary school teachers.
The prior aim of the Primary Education Department at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University is to educate lifelong learning leaders who have positive attitude towards the profession, have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required in the field of education, have advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, make researches, inquire, closely observe the developments in his field, are aware of state problems, have effective communication skills. The department consists of two divisions of education, namely Department of Primary Education and Department of Preschool Education. There are 7 professors, 1 associate professor, 4 lecturers (PhD), and 1 research assistant. Prospective teachers who graduate from the Primary Education Department might continue their academic career by receiving post-graduate education as well as working as teachers at the first and second levels of state schools and private schools affiliated to MEB.
