Investigation of the life sciences curricula in terms of convention on the rights of the children's the aims of education: A historical analysis

In this study, the life sciences curricula examined in terms of the aims of education item of which the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Children (CRC) 29th the item, arrangements made in the curricula were analyzed comparatively. The study was formed as a historical case study. The document analysis method was employed in this qualitative research. The data set of the study was composed the life sciences curricula 1924, 1926, 19236, 1948, 1968, 1998, 2005, 2015, 2017 and 2018. The obtained data about the life sciences curricula were analyzed by content analysis. As a result of the analysis, 3 themes, 17 categories and 100 codes were derived on the aims of education of the CRC from the life sciences curricula. The results of the study indicate that the life sciences curricula preceding and following the implementation of UNCRC puts an emphasis on various regulations which can be evaluated in the context of the relevant research. The outcome of new regulations that can be evaluated in the context of research in each new curriculum has been put forward and it has been seen from the point of regulation that there is a constant increase until 2015 curriculum. Another conclusion to be drawn when the curricula are reviewed is that there is a difference between the period up to the 1998 curriculum and the curricula following the 1998 curricula in terms of the dimension or depth of the emphasized regulations. When the reasons for this difference are examined, it is considered that the main factor is the CRC accepted by the UN on 20 November 1989. When the life science curriculum of 2005 was evaluated within the scope of the research, it was reached as the result of the most edited curriculum in the research context. As a factor affecting this situation in the 2005 program, it is seen that the program is made comprehensive and prepared according to the constructivist approach which is a new understanding. The study is of importance in terms of displaying the findings related to change and development in regulations conducted in the context of the aims of education in CRC in the life science curricula developed in Turkey. Another importance of the study is that it enlightens the information related to the impacts of international conventions or declarations in the context of children's rights on the life sciences curricula. Keywords: Children's rights, child rights education, child's right to education, the life sciences curriculum