PROBLEMS FACED BY TEACHERS WORKING AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH COMBINED CLASSES IN THE PROCESS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SOLUTIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the problems that classroom teachers encounter in the distance education process in the multi-grade classroom application implemented in primary schools in villages in our country, and to determine the problems and solution suggestions that multi-grade classroom teachers encounter regarding this educational situation. The research is a qualitative research designed in a phenomenological pattern. The sample of the research consists of classroom teachers working in primary schools with different multi-grade classes in the 2022-2023 academic year. 14 classroom teachers were selected for the study using easily accessible sampling method. Data was collected from classroom teachers with a semi-structured interview form in line with the purposes of the research. The data obtained from the interviews were reduced according to qualitative data analysis and analyzed through descriptive analysis by quoting from these data. Teachers who participated in the research especially talked about the difficulties of teaching multiple classes at the same time; They complain about the low level of readiness of students, insufficient time for achievements, physical disabilities, lack of sufficient funds, lack of interest in families, inadequate perspectives on education, and the difficulty of managing more than one class in the same environment. They also stated that these problems worsened during the distance education process. In the light of the findings, it was determined that the problems were common and in the solution proposals, the common decision was to reduce such classroom practices as much as possible and stated that single classroom implementation was the healthiest education environment.