Abstract:

This study aims to investigate the educational competencies of the teachers of religious education and ethical knowledge who teach in state primary and high schools in Sakarya. The sample of the study which includes 165 teachers was chosen from the eleven districts of Sakarya. “Personal information questionnaire” and “educational competencies of religious education teachers‟ scale” was used to collect data. The scale consists of professional development, recognition of students, teaching-learning process and assessment and evaluation dimensions. Study results were collected in May 2012 and analyzed by SPSS statistical program. T-test and analysis of variance was used to test research problems. We can briefly say the following as a research results: According to the gender variable educational competencies of the teachers are statistically significant. As well as there is a significant difference between the undergraduate program and the perception of competencies only in professional development, the average perceptions of the teachers who graduated from the religious culture and ethical knowledge programs are higher than the others. There is no significant relation between the competencies of the teachers and educational backgrounds, school level, residential area, participation to the in-service training. However, there is significant difference between teachers‟ status of examining the religious culture and ethical knowledge curriculum and the competencies of them in three dimensions.

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