Comparison of basic education programs in religious studies in Britain and Turkey

This study aims to determine the similarities and differences by comparing Primary Religion Curriculum of England and Turkey. In this study, 4 to 8 grades of Primary Religion Curriculum of Turkey and 2nd and 3rd key stages of England's Primary Religion Curriculum in terms of their objectives, content, instructional methods and evaluation techniques have been compared. The obtained findings have been expounded according to sub-problems. Since the actual situation is aimed to be put forward, survey method has been used in this study. Information regarding educational systems, curriculums and testing situations of the countries have been supplied from libraries by literature review and from internet search. This information abtained for the research was evaluated by the use of "document analysis" method. The aims of countries Primary Religion Curriculum have been examined by creating tables of 4 parts based on the structure of the Primary Religion Curriculum of Turkey. The first and second parts of Primary Religion Curriculum of England have been arranged to base on 4th, 5th and 6th years of primary education which corresponds to the 2nd key stage of Religion Curriculum of Turkey, where as the 3rd and 4th parts of Primary Religion Curriculum of Turkey have been arranged to base on the 7th and 8th years of primary education which corresponds to the 3rd key stage of Religion Curriculum of England. As a result, Primary Religion Curriculum of Turkey is richer than England and it has a flexible structure. But, it has been found that Primary Religion Curriculum of Turkey has a number of deficiencies in development and implementation. In the light ofV the data obtained from research and evaluations, the solutions are presented to remedy the defienciences of Primary Religion Curriculum of Turkey. Key Words: Religion Course Curriculum, Objectives, Content, Instructional Methods, Evaluation Techniques, Cross National Comparative Study.