A research on the pre-school teachers' environmental education competencies

The purpose of this research is to examine the views of preschool teachers on environmental education competencies. For this purpose, it has been tried to reveal what the opinions of preschool teachers about environmental education competencies are, their competency levels on environmental education and whether they differ according to different variables. In the research, a descriptive research model was applied and a simultaneous mixed pattern was used in which both qualitative and quantitative data were used together. The scan method was used in the quantitative dimension of the research, and the phenomenology method was used in the qualitative dimension. In the study, 250 people were assigned to collect quantitative data and 30 people to collect qualitative data from preschool teachers working in preschool education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in the province of Diyarbakır during the 2021-2022 academic year. The "Environmental Education Self-Efficacy Scale" was used as a quantitative data collection tool in the research, and as for sampling, a simple, random assignment, and convenient sample survey method was used. As a qualitative data collection tool, a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher was used and easily accessible case sampling was used. The test was used to compare two independent groups in difference analysis, and ANOVA test was used to compare three or more independent groups. When a difference was found in the ANOVA test, the Post-Hoc Scheffe test was used to determine the groups that caused the difference. Content analysis was carried out for the analysis of the data in the qualitative dimension of the research. As a result of the research, it was determined that teachers' environmental education self-efficacy perceptions were high. In the variables of gender, age, graduation degree, having education on environmental education, being a member of any non-governmental organization, and residence status of the school they work, the average of the participants with high socio-economic level of the school they work in is higher than those of the middle and low ones. It was found that there was no significant difference in the averages of the participants. It was determined, in the qualitative dimension of the research, preschool teachers' stated they feel inadequate about the environmental awareness, however they found themselves sufficient in environmental education. When the answers obtained are examined in detail, the preschool teachers stated that the reason for this contradictory situation is related with the environmental education given at school is not adequately supported by the family and society.