To determinethe of teacher?s views relating to primary school program develop critical thinking (case of Diyarbakır city)

Aim of this study is to identify whether elementary education teaching program implemented by Ministry of National Education in the education-instruction year 2005-2006 in state (elementary) schools in the center of Diyarbakır Province is eligible for developing critical thinking skills on the basis of the class teachers and branch teachers? comments.Being a descriptive study, this research was carried out by using scanning model. Data were collected by means of the questionnaire which was developed and whose reliability and validity are ensured. Research participants are composed of 5031 teachers teaching in 173 state (elementary) schools in the center of Diyarbakır province in the education and instruction year 2007- 2008. Research sample consists of 402 teachers teaching in 26 state (elementary) schools.Collected data were analyzed by using frequency, percentage, arithmetic average, independent group ?t? test, one-way variance analysis, Kruskall-Wallis test and Mann Whitney U test.Results of the research demonstrate that most of the participants did not receive in-service training about development of critical thinking. It was found out that technological infrastructure in the school needs to be formed and materials necessary for the application need to be supplied. Participant teachers reported that critical thinking can be acquired by students by decreasing the class size or implementing group works in crowded classrooms.Teachers hold view that school administrators should arrange various activities (such as study tours, sports activities, etc.) in order to develop students? critical thinking skills.Participants reported that the curriculum was devised suitably for developing critical thinking. It was concluded that course books are eligible for students? acquiring critical thinking skills.The research also indicates that the parents need to be informed about the curriculum for increasing their consciousness about education.Significant difference was found between views of the teachers by sex, branch, professional seniority and graduation status.Key words: Elementary Education Curriculum, Critical Thinking, Program Assessment.