Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ and students’ opinions about the application of ‘Democracy Education and School Councils Project (DESCP)’ geared toward creating a democratic culture by promoting democratic principles and values at schools. Qualitative research methods were used in the study. A semi-structured interview protocol was employed to elicit participants’ responses to the research questions. The techniques and strategies of descriptive analysis were used to analyze research data. The study results have indicated that whereas DESCP does help a few selected students acquire some important democratic attitudes, values, behaviors and skills, it at large fails to accomplish its foremost aim of helping the majority of students gain democratic values and life style at school and beyond. It is found that the limited success of the project is attributable to various hindrances stemming from education system and administration, school principals and teachers, students and the structure of Turkish family and society. Discussions and suggestions are made on the basis of the research findings. Key words: Education for democracy, democratic values, school councils, teachers’ opinions, educational problems

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