Comparing the education of geography teachers in Turkey and Germany (Bavaria)

The subject of this study is education of geography teachers for high schools in Turkey and Bayern, Germany. Education programs in both countries were examined in an attempt to demonstrate the differences.In this study, different implementations of branch teacher education throughout the Republic period are introduced and the current situation is presented. Geography teacher education programs in certain universities are examined. The presence of a variety of problems and practical breakdowns in education of branch teachers in Turkey country are identified based on research findings and suggestions are made for solving these problems. Different practical methods are observed in Germany, a country more advanced, and viability of these methods in Turkey is deliberated in detail.The main difference between Germany and Turkey in geography teacher education system is the fact that Germany consists of states which are responsible for the handling of education. There are many institutions and professional organizations in Germany which govern educational policies. Whereas in our country, education is centrically planned and managed, which at times results in use of education for political purposes. Therefore plans may lack topicality and actuality.In light of findings in this study, it is concluded that the teachers, responsible of bringing up next generations they are, need to be equipped with skills and abilities according to the demands of modern times during the course of their own education. For this reason, universities should accept students capable of performing the profession of teaching in a proper fashion. Universities need qualified teaching staff. Curricula need to be feasible and up to date. The schools, universities and National Education should cooperate and collaborate in a fully coordinated manner in order to outfit trainees with professional knowledge and skills during the probation period.