Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

We explore how a social justice and capabilities perspective serves as a conceptual tool to understand the quality of education (QoE) in Turkey so that policy can be developed to make the education system inclusive of all learners, provide relevant education, and allow stakeholders’ democratic participation. We provide a critical discussion about the Turkish education system and continue with a critical analysis of the three interrelated dimensions of QoE from a social justice and capabilities perspective; that is, inclusive education, relevance, and democracy. Finally, we make recommendations to improve QoE in Turkey by strengthening social justice and developing appropriate capabilities in education.

Keywords

quality of education social justice capabilities inclusion democracy Turkey

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Aksit

(2007). Educational reform in Turkey. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(2), 129–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2006.07.011

Albayrak

(2021). School autonomy in Turkey and libertarian education approach. CRES Journal, 2(2), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.22596/cresjournal

Aquarone

(2021). Student experiences of democratic education and the implications for social justice. Theory and Research in Education, 19(1), 40–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/14778785211005695

Cin

F. M.

Karlıdağ-Dennis

Temiz

(2020). Capabilities-based gender equality analysis of educational policy-making and reform in Turkey. Gender and Education, 32(2), 244–261. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2018.1484429

Doğan

Uğurlu

C. T.

Demir

(2014). Analysis of the “4 + 4 + 4” education system’s positive and negative effects on the school partners according to the opinions of administrator. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 13(1), 115–138.

Education Reform Initiative (ERG). (2014). Equality and academic achievement in Turkish education system . http://www.egitimreformugirisimi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ERG_T%C3%BCrkiye-E%C4%9Fitim-Sisteminde-E%C5%9Fitlik-ve-Akademik-Ba%C5%9Far-Ara%C5%9Ft%C4%B1rma-Raporu-ve-Analiz.pdf

Education Reform Initiative (ERG). (2020). Education monitoring report: Outcomes of education in 2019-20 . https://www.egitimreformugirisimi.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Egitim-Izleme-Bulteni-2020_Egitimin-Ciktilari.html

Education Reform Initiative (ERG). (2021). The content of education: Education monitoring report 2021 . https://www.egitimreformugirisimi.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/EIR21_EgitiminIcerigi.pdf

Epçaçan

(2014). Opinions of primary and secondary school teachers and administrators on the 4 + 4 + 4 education system (Siirt sample). Ekev Akademi Dergisi, 18(58), 505–522.

10.

Erkilic

Durak

(2013). Tolerable and inclusive learning spaces: An evaluation of policies and specifications for physical environments that promote inclusion in Turkish primary schools. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 17(5), 462–479. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2012.685333

11.

Fraser

(1998). Social justice in the age of identity politics, redistribution, recognition, participation. WZB Discussion Paper, No. FSI 98-108, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB).

12.

Fraser

(2008). Scales of justice: Reimagining political space in a globalizing world. Polity Press.

13.

Fraser

Honneth

(2003). Redistribution or recognition? A political-philosophical exchange. Verso.

14.

Frediani

A. A.

Clark

D. A.

Biggeri

(2019). Human development and the capability approach: The role of empowerment and participation. In Clark

D. A.

Biggeri

Frediani

A. A.

(Eds.), The capability approach, empowerment and participation: Concepts, methods, and applications (pp. 3–36). Palgrave Macmillan.

15.

Garira

(2020). A proposed unified conceptual framework for quality of education in schools. Sage Open, 10(1), 2158244019899445. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019899445

16.

Gün

Baskan

G. A.

(2014). New education system in Turkey (4 + 4 + 4): A critical outlook. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 131, 229–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.109

17.

Kesbiç

(2021). ARISE Project for reducing ineQoE: Turkey national report . Eğitim Reformu Girişimi. https://www.egitimreformugirisimi.org/egitim-gozlemevi/arastirma/egitimde-esitsizligin-azaltilmasi-projesi-arise/

18.

Kilinc

(2021). Mothers of children without disabilities’ conceptions of inclusive education: Unveiling an exclusionary education system privileging normality and ableism. Disability & Society, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1888281

19.

Ministry of National Education (MEB). (2020a). Instructional programs evaluation report 2020 . https://ttkb.meb.gov.tr/meb_iys_dosyalar/2020_08/24113242_ogretimprogramlari_dr.pdf

20.

Ministry of National Education (MEB). (2020b). Lifelong learning . https://hbogm.meb.gov.tr/meb_iys_dosyalar/2020_01/27110237_OCAK_2020internet_BulteniSunu.pdf

21.

Ministry of National Education (MEB). (2021). National Education Statistics Formal Education 2020/2021 . http://sgb.meb.gov.tr/meb_iys_dosyalar/2021_09/10141326_meb_istatistikleri_orgun_egitim_2020_2021.pdf

22.

Mundy

Murphy

(2001). Transnational advocacy, global civil society? Emerging evidence from the field of education. Comparative Education Review, 45(1), 85–126. https://doi.org/10.1086/447646

23.

Nussbaum

(2002). Capabilities and social justice. International Studies Review, 4(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1111/1521-9488.00258

24.

Nussbaum

(2003). Capabilities as fundamental entitlements: Sen and social justice. Feminist Economics, 9(2–3), 33–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/1354570022000077926

25.

Odabaşı

(2014). Thoughts upon new regulation change (4 + 4 + 4) in Turkish education system. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 43(2), 103–124. https://doi.org/10.14812/cufej.2014.015

26.

OECD. (2013). Better life index: Turkey . http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/turkey/

27.

OECD. (2019). PISA 2018: Insights and interpretations . http://www.oecd.org/pisa/PISA%202018%20Insights%20and%20Interpretations%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf

28.

OECD. (2020). Education policy outlook: Turkey . https://www.oecd.org/education/policy-outlook/country-profile-Turkey-2020.pdf

29.

OECD. (2021). Education at a glance: OECD indicators . https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/b35a14e5-en.pdf?expires=1644742855&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=6B1550C20185DBDCEB36BC9C5C99450D

30.

Robeyns

(2003). Sen’s capability approach and gender inequality: Selecting relevant capabilities. Feminist Economics, 9(2–3), 61–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/1354570022000078024

31.

Sakız

Tören

Yıldırım

(2021). Student and parent perceptions of government-funded private special education schools. SAGE Open, 11(2), 21582440211021396. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211021396

32.

Sen

(1983). Development: Which way now? The Economic Journal, 93(372), 745–762. https://doi.org/10.2307/2232744

33.

Sen

(2005). Human rights and capabilities. Journal of Human Development, 6(2), 151–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649880500120491

34.

Şen

(2019). Militarisation of citizenship education curriculum in Turkey. Journal of Peace Education, 16(1), 78–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/17400201.2018.1481019

35.

Şen

Tankutay

H. K.

(2021). Teachers’ opinions regarding the method of appointment of school principals. Journal of Contemporary Administrative Science, 8(2), 297–312.

36.

Terzi

(2014). Reframing inclusive education: Educational equality as capability equality. Cambridge Journal of Education, 44(4), 479–493. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2014.960911

37.

Tikly

Barrett

A. M.

(2011). Social justice, capabilities and the QoE in low income countries. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.06.001

38.

Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). (2021). Outcomes of address-based cencus, 2021 . https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Adrese-Dayali-Nufus-Kayit-Sistemi-Sonuclari-2021-45500&dil=1

39.

UNESCO (2017). A guide for ensuring inclusion and equity in education. Author.

Quality of Education From a Social Justice and Capabilities Perspective: The Case of Turkey

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References