Examining the school partners' views on the values, the reason for the presence and the future of the school at primary education institutions

This study sought to examine the similarities and the differences in the school partners? views about the values, the reason for the presence and the future of the official primary schools. This study investigated school partners' views on their roles and tasks in the future by determining the current perceptions of school partners about the schools which are expected to be agents of change in related to new needs and expectations raised as a result of the contemporary social and technological changes. In this study, the qualitative research method has been conducted in order to present detail-packed information about small groups of people or situations. In the study, as data collection instrument, interview forms of open-ended questions have been formed to use in semi-structured interviews. These forms (Appx. 1) have been developed by the researcher for each of the school partners. The research has been conducted in two steps, including the pilot and the main study. The pilot study has been carried out with one administrator, one teacher, one parent, one auxiliary staff and one student, at the beginning of first term of academic year 2012-2013. The main study has been carried out with administrators (n = 3), teachers (n = 15), students (n = 13), parent (n = 5), and school auxiliary staff (n = 3) selected from an official primary school in Ankara at the end of the first term, via typical situation sampling, as one of the purposive sampling methods. The data collected through interviews have been coded and classified at tables by content analysis and so school partners? views about the values, the reason for the presence and the future of the school have been determined. Results revealed that school partners? definitions and expectations about the reasons for school?s presence were close to values and aim of the traditional school. However, the view that the traditional school could not reach its goals in current progress and structure were common in the school partners. By the school partners, it is emphasized that the physical structure and the technological equipment of school are insufficient in the current situation. From the analysis of the school partners? views on the school values, it is defined that the partners has emphasized integrity, honesty; moral, religious and national values. However, it is determined that the mission, the vision and the core values determined at the strategic plans of the schools are not shared by the school partners. From the analysis of the partners? views on the future of the school, it is stated that school will be in the future, and it will have a positive future if the necessary arrangements are made. However, at the results of the research it is seen that the view that school and its system will not change in the future is prevalent. The results of the research were evaluated and it is suggested that we need a new school theory in order to change the system and the structure of school. We can say it should be a philosophy in the school theory that combines today's society and the future?s society. Today, in which democratic values gain importance, we can state that classes and schools should be re-designed according to these values in order to develop a school system and structure which create the desired values in the future?s society by using the values of the society and for this, the physical structure and conditions of school should be designed according to the future?s schools. Key words: The reason for the presence of the school, the values of the school, the future of the school, the school partners, a qualitative research.