Teacher opinions about the social studies course in primary and secondary schools in the Iraqi education system

Purpose: Teacher opinions about the social studies course in primary and secondary schools in the Iraqi education system are aimed. Method: Basic qualitative research method was followed during the research process. The limitations of the research are limited to the social studies programs carried out in 15 provinces where the Iraqi central education system is implemented in the 2022-2023 academic year and in 3 provinces where the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government education system is implemented. The study group of the research is limited to social studies teachers working in schools where Turkmens (Turkish) receive education in the Iraqi central education system and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government education system. Criterion sampling technique, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used in the research. Data collection of the research was carried out through semi-structured face-to-face interviews. In this context, data was collected using the audio recording interview technique with a total of 24 teachers, 12 social studies teachers working in the Iraqi central education system and 12 social studies teachers working in the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government. Findings: According to the results of the research, the social studies curriculum of central Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government are different from each other according to teachers' opinions. While the most commonly used methods in the teaching process in central Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government are direct explanation and question-answer, the most frequently used materials are maps. In terms of measurement and evaluation methods, while true-false, fill-in-the-blank, definition and cause-effect questions are most commonly used in the Iraqi central system, the test method is used more frequently in the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government. Education in both regions is carried out according to national education rules. The social studies course contents of central Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government are different; Therefore, their purposes also differ. According to teachers, the content is criticized for its incorrect information, unnecessarily long information and too complex structure, and it is stated that ethnic groups are not included enough. In the schools where Turkmens receive (Turkish) education, there is incorrect information about the ancient Turkish history in the content and this situation disturbs the Turkmens. In general, according to teachers' opinions, the educational programs of the Iraqi central and Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government social studies course should be reviewed by the ministries of national education Result and Suggestion: Iraqi central and Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government social studies education programs need to be prepared as curricula containing up-to-date and accurate information, accurate translations must be made for schools providing education in Turkish, missing materials must be completed, modern teaching methods must be used, and a fair measurement-evaluation system must be implemented. In this way, students can learn more effectively and benefit more from the social studies course.