EVALUATION OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS IN THE 4+4+4 COMPULSORY EDUCATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the research conducted to examine the problems faced by
school principals and teachers regarding the 4+4+4 education system. The research method is
literature review, and the scope of the study consists of laws related to the topic and articles, theses,
and books published in the literature. Document analysis was used as the data collection tool, and
the data was organized and compared in the form of the opinions and problems of school
administrators and teachers regarding the 4+4+4 education system.
However, the research also revealed some concerns among school administrators and teachers
regarding the 4+4+4 education system. Many respondents felt that they were not sufficiently
informed about the system, and that it was implemented as a political decision rather than a wellplanned educational reform. They also expressed doubts about the benefits of reducing the age of
compulsory education, and pointed out issues with inadequate physical infrastructure, particularly
in terms of toilet facilities and staircases that were not suitable for younger students.In addition,
some respondents were concerned that increasing the number of courses in middle schools could
have a negative impact on student motivation, while the shortage of schools and classrooms made it
difficult to implement the system effectively. Moreover, the elimination of the fifth grade in
primary schools could lead to a surplus of teachers, creating problems with staffing and
employment.
Overall, while the 4+4+4 education system has its advantages, the concerns raised by school
administrators and teachers indicate that there is still room for improvement and further research
into the system's effectiveness. According to a research conducted among school administrators and
teachers, the 4+4+4 education system has generally been positively received. The system is thought
to have positive effects such as separating different age groups, increasing independent schools,
improving vocational education, and making it easier for students and parents to choose schools. In
addition, the opening of Imam Hatip secondary schools to provide reading opportunities for female
students, early foreign language education, and the availability of elective courses in middle and
high schools have also been considered positive.However, according to the data mentioned in the research, school administrators and teachers have
thought that they were not adequately informed about the 4+4+4 education system. Additionally,
some negative views have been expressed about the system such as it being a political decision,
reducing the age of education not having positive results, toilets, bathrooms, and stairs not being
suitable for 60-month-old students, increasing the number of courses in middle schools leading to a
decrease in student motivation, not having enough schools and classrooms, inadequate physical
infrastructure of schools, discipline problems increasing in schools due to the difficulty of repeating
a grade, and many class teachers becoming surplus due to the closure of fifth grades in primary
schools.