Teacher education in Turkey from past to present

The teacher education policies developed and implemented by a country are of key importance for its education system. Effective education policies, which can be followed over years for social, political, economic, and environmental reasons, may result in sustainable development that benefits current and next generation’s well-being. Therefore, all countries should construct their education policies and philosophies in terms of their needs, cultures, economic conditions, and the requirements of their geographical structure. These needs and requirements may change over time, and accordingly, the adopted education philosophy and teacher education systems can be revised. In order to talk about teacher education in Turkey, first, the history of teacher education, which started with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, will be discussed. Subsequently, the curricula used throughout the history of teacher education and the assessment methods adopted within the framework of these curricula will be examined. Then, the preferred teaching and learning approaches that shaped Turkish education curricula will be explained. Lastly, the professional development of teachers and pedagogical innovations and practices that enable effective teaching and engage students’ in learning will be elaborated.