Opinions of master trainers and teachers about courses opened for individuals with special needs in public education centers

The aim of this research is to determine the opinions of master trainers and teachers about the courses opened for individuals with special needs in Public Education Centers. In this context, it was conducted with a total of 15 volunteer participants, 5 teachers and 10 master trainers, who took part in the courses opened in public education centers in Samsun in the 2022-2023 academic year. In this study, phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. Data were collected using semi-structured interview technique. In the analysis of the qualitative data obtained from the interviews, the MAXQDA Plus 2022 qualitative data analysis program was used. At the end of the research, the opinions of master trainers and teachers about the courses opened for individuals with special needs were discussed under three main themes as Public Education Centers and courses, the quality of the courses, the problems encountered in the courses and their needs. Under the theme of public education centers and courses, the sub-themes of the contribution of the courses, the role of the Public Education Centers and the suitability of physical conditions were obtained. The discourses of master trainers and teachers regarding the quality of courses for individuals with special needs are discussed in three sub-themes, which are the factors affecting the efficiency of the courses, the problems encountered in the courses, and the features that are considered in the course opened. In the theme of the problems and needs of master trainers and teachers in the courses for individuals with special needs, the sub-themes of problem behaviors, the subject to be trained, and the need for support in determining needs were reached. As a result of the research, it was concluded that Public Education Centers have an important role in the lifelong learning of individuals with special needs, that the courses opened have many contributions to individuals with special needs, especially in the academic and social fields, that the physical conditions of the courses are generally suitable, that there are positive and negative factors affecting the efficiency of the courses. It has been concluded that master trainers and teachers need support in some subjects. KEYWORDS: Individual with Special Needs, Special Education, Lifelong Learning, Master Trainer, Public Education Centers, Public Education Centers Courses